Odisha DGP Appointment Case Deferred to September 16
The Supreme Court on Monday deferred the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the Odisha government’s process of shortlisting candidates for the post of Director General of Police (DGP).
A three‑judge bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana, adjourned the matter to September 16, 2026.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, UPSC, and the Odisha government, sought additional time to examine the report submitted by Amicus Curiae Raju Ramachandran and place notes on record.
The PIL alleges that the Odisha government included junior IPS officers who were recently promoted in the shortlist sent to the UPSC, potentially violating the Prakash Singh guidelines on police reforms.
These guidelines emphasise seniority and merit in the appointment of state police chiefs.
The case is expected to have wider implications for police reforms and governance in Odisha, as the Court will examine whether the state adhered to established norms in its selection process.
