LAGATAR24 NETWORK
Ranchi, Feb 13: Suspense continues over the appointment of a full-time Director General of Police (DGP) of Jharkhand as Chief Minister Hemant Soren has not disclosed whom he is going to pick out of the panel of three names approved by the Union Public Service of India.
Well-placed sources in the government said that Ajay Kumar Singh has the brightest chance to become the head of the police.
Moreover, Niraj Kumar Sinha retired on February 11 and the state government had given an undertaking before the Supreme Court that it would appoint the DGP by February 12.
Notably, the UPSC on January 5 finalised three names for the selection of the next DGP of Jharkhand. The UPSC shortlisted Ajay Singh, Ajay Bhatnagar and Anil Palta for this coveted post of the head of the state police.
Ajay Bhatnagar and Ajay Kumar Singh are 1989 batch IPS whereas Anil Palta is 1990 batch IPS. Ajay Bhatnagar, on central deputation currently, is serving as Joint Director of the CBI in Delhi. Ajay Kumar Singh is the DG of Anti Corruption Bureau whereas Anil Palta is DG (Railway).
Notably, a Writ Petition (Civil) 881/ 2021 was filed before the Supreme Court by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation demanding the appointment of the DGP in Jharkhand for a stipulated period out of the panel recommended by the UPSC.
UPSC submitted a panel for appointment to the Jharkhand government on January 5 this year.
Kapil Sibal, senior counsel appearing on behalf of the applicant states that all formalities for the appointment would be completed and the appointment would be notified with effect from 12th February.
Meanwhile, former BJP chief minister and party senior Babulal Marandi alleged Hemant Soren of cheating the Supreme Court.
“Jharkhand without DGP, instead of appointing a full-time DGP, CM Hemant Soren is misusing his intelligence to cheat and defy the Supreme Court. Today is February 13 and Jharkhand Police is without a DGP. BJP will expose this conspiracy,” he tweeted.
