Supreme Court Blocks Fresh UPSC Recommendation On Odisha DGP Selection For Now

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Thursday assured the Supreme Court that it would not convene a meeting to finalise recommendations for the appointment of Odisha's next director general of police (DGP) until the court hears a petition challenging the selection process. The undertaking was given during proceedings concerning the Odisha government's decision to expand the pool of officers being considered for the state's top police post. The Supreme Court was hearing a plea challenging the state government's move to include additional officers in the selection process for the next DGP.

The petition has raised questions over the manner in which eligible officers are being considered and whether the expansion of the pool complies with the applicable procedure for appointing a state police chief. During the hearing, the UPSC told the court that it would not proceed with a meeting to finalise its recommendations until the matter is considered by the Supreme Court. The assurance effectively means that the commission will pause the recommendation process while the court examines the challenge. The undertaking also prevents the selection process from moving to its next decisive stage before the court has an opportunity to consider the petition.

The selection of a state DGP involves a prescribed procedure under which eligible senior police officers are considered for the post. The UPSC plays a key role in preparing a panel of officers for appointment by the state government. The dispute before the Supreme Court centres on the Odisha government's decision to widen the group of officers being considered, with the petitioner questioning the legality and propriety of that move.

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The UPSC's undertaking provides a temporary safeguard against the recommendations being finalised while the legal challenge remains pending. The commission's assurance also means that the court will be able to examine the petition without the selection process reaching a stage that could potentially complicate the legal proceedings. The court's eventual directions could therefore have a bearing on how the selection panel for Odisha's next police chief is constituted.

The phrase “no backdoor entry” has featured prominently in the context of the challenge, reflecting the petitioner's concerns over whether the process has been altered to accommodate officers who were not originally within the selection pool. The state government's position and the arguments advanced by the petitioner will be examined by the court as it considers the legality of expanding the list of officers under consideration.

For now, the UPSC has agreed not to convene the meeting required to finalise its recommendations until the Supreme Court hears the challenge. The undertaking keeps the appointment process on hold at the recommendation stage and ensures that the court's consideration of the dispute will precede any finalisation by the commission. Further developments will depend on the Supreme Court's hearing and directions in the matter.

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