Promotions of Umesh Kumar and Chakravarthy J. Put on Hold Pending Judicial Review
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has stayed a Government Order (G.O.) dated September 12 that promoted IPS officers Umesh Kumar and Chakravarthy J. from the rank of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) to Director General of Police (DGP).
The interim stay was granted on Thursday by a division bench of CAT comprising S. Sujatha (Judicial Member) and Sanjiv Kumar (Administrative Member), acting on a petition filed by senior IPS officer Alok Kumar, currently serving as ADGP (Training).
Alok Kumar Challenges Promotion Process
In his petition, Alok Kumar—the senior-most ADGP in the State—contended that the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC), in its meeting held on September 6, cleared the elevation of his juniors while allegedly bypassing his seniority and eligibility.
He argued that the promotions were carried out without proper evaluation and in violation of due process, thereby causing him undue prejudice despite his seniority and service record.
Disciplinary Proceedings Under Scrutiny
Alok Kumar has been facing disciplinary proceedings arising from the 2019 phone-tapping and audio leak case. In May 2025, CAT had stayed a government order seeking to initiate a fresh inquiry against him.
Earlier, on September 4, a CAT bench comprising B.K. Shrivatsava (Judicial Member) and Santosh Mehra (Administrative Member) delivered a split verdict: while the judicial member set aside the proceedings, the administrative member upheld them. On September 11, the bench clarified that the interim stay on disciplinary proceedings would remain in effect until a third member of the tribunal delivers a conclusive ruling.
CBI Closure Reports Cited
In his petition, Alok Kumar pointed out that the State Government had already closed an earlier inquiry into the same allegations in 2023, after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed two closure reports—known as ‘B’ reports—in 2021 and 2024. The CBI concluded that no allegations could be substantiated against him or others implicated in the case.
He has questioned the legality of reopening disciplinary proceedings on the same matter, terming it a violation of natural justice and procedural fairness.
What Lies Ahead
For now, the promotions of Umesh Kumar and Chakravarthy J. to DGP rank remain stayed until further orders of CAT. The final outcome—both on Alok Kumar’s disciplinary proceedings and on his claim of promotion eligibility—will hinge on the tribunal’s forthcoming decisions.
The case has once again brought into sharp focus the issues of transparency, fairness, and cadre management within the Indian Police Service.
