T seeks time as HC reviews delay in full-time DGP appointment

Hyderabad: Telangana high court was informed that the state govt is actively examining the panel of IPS officers forwarded by the Union Public Service Commission for the appointment of a full-time director general of police, and has sought time to take a final decision. The submission was made by advocate general A Sudarshan Reddy on March 30 during the hearing of a petition alleging prolonged delay in appointing a full-time DGP. Recording the submission, Justice B Vijaysen Reddy adjourned the matter to April 13. The petition, filed by social activist T Dhanagopal Rao, challenges the appointment of current DGP B Shivadhar Reddy, contending it violates the Supreme Court guidelines issued in 2018 on the selection of police chiefs. Earlier, the high court had directed the UPSC to process the state's recommendations for appointing a full-time DGP. When the issue reached the top court, it ordered both the UPSC and the Telangana govt to complete the appointment within four weeks, disapproving the continued reliance on interim arrangements. During the latest hearing, the advocate general sought additional time, citing the just concluded assembly session, to enable the govt to take a decision. The petitioner, however, argued that the DGP post cannot be filled on an ad hoc basis and opposed further delay. Taking note that the UPSC panel is under active consideration, the court adjourned the matter for further hearing.