Haryana Initiates Formal Process to Appoint New State Police Chief, Sends Panel of Five Senior IPS Officers to UPSC After Kapur Relieved of Charge
The Haryana government has formally set in motion the long-pending process to appoint a new Director General of Police (DGP) by forwarding a list of five senior IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This step was taken after former DGP Shatrujeet Kapur was officially relieved of his charge, removing procedural obstacles that had earlier stalled the selection process.
The development assumes significance as the state prepares for a leadership transition in the police force, with the current DGP, OP Singh, scheduled to retire on December 31.
Formal Relinquishment of Charge Clears the Way
On Sunday, Shatrujeet Kapur formally handed over charge at the police headquarters, thereby creating a clear and undisputed vacancy in the top police post. This action resolved a key technical issue that had earlier prevented the state from notifying the vacancy to the UPSC.
Following this, the Haryana government formally informed the Commission that the post of DGP will fall vacant after OP Singh’s retirement, enabling the constitutional body to proceed with the empanelment process.
Previously, the UPSC had declined to act on the state’s proposal, citing the fact that Kapur—despite being on leave—technically continued to hold the charge and could resume duties at any time.
Five Senior IPS Officers Nominated for Consideration
The state government has forwarded a panel comprising five senior-most IPS officers, all currently holding the rank of Director General of Police, along with Kapur’s updated posting order. The officers shortlisted are:
Shatrujeet Kapur (IPS, 1990 batch)
Sanjeev Kumar Jain (IPS, 1991 batch)
Ajay Singhal (IPS, 1992 batch)
Alok Mittal (IPS, 1993 batch)
Dr A.S. Chawla (IPS, 1993 batch)
With Kapur now officially divested of charge, the state government is confident that the UPSC can move ahead without any procedural impediments.
Context: Kapur’s Leave and Pending Legal Proceedings
Shatrujeet Kapur had already completed his mandated two-year tenure as DGP when he was directed to proceed on leave after being named as an accused in a case related to the alleged abetment of suicide of IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar.
Although Kapur was not functioning as DGP during this period, his continued technical hold over the post complicated the appointment of a successor and delayed the formal initiation of the UPSC-led selection process.
Eligibility Norms Under 2023 Revised Guidelines
As per the updated guidelines issued in 2023, officers eligible for consideration for the DGP post must:
Hold the rank of DGP in the concerned state cadre
Be placed at Level-16 of the pay matrix
Have a minimum of six months of residual service as on the date the vacancy arises
In addition, the state government is required to submit integrity certificates and disclose details of any pending criminal or disciplinary proceedings against the shortlisted officers.
Supreme Court Framework Governing DGP Appointments
The selection of the state police chief is governed by the landmark 2006 Prakash Singh judgment of the Supreme Court, which lays down that:
The UPSC must prepare a panel of the three senior-most eligible officers
The state government must appoint the DGP from this empanelled list
Selection should be based on seniority, service record, and policing experience
The appointed DGP is entitled to a minimum fixed tenure of two years, irrespective of the date of retirement
These guidelines are aimed at insulating the police leadership from political interference and ensuring stability in command.
What Lies Ahead
With the vacancy now formally established, the UPSC is expected to convene its empanelment committee shortly. Once the panel of recommended officers is submitted, the Haryana government will be in a position to appoint the next Director General of Police in strict compliance with constitutional provisions and Supreme Court directives.
