Chief Secretary Given 10 Days to Clarify Regular DGP Appointment
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The Punjab and Haryana High Court has adopted a firm judicial stance over the prolonged absence of a permanent Director General of Police (DGP) in Punjab, issuing a formal notice to the state’s Chief Secretary. Emphasizing that an ad-hoc arrangement cannot continue indefinitely at the helm of the state police force, the High Court directed the top bureaucrat to submit a comprehensive explanation within 10 days detailing precisely when a regular police chief will take charge. Observing that the position of DGP is directly tied to the overarching law and order framework, the bench stressed that a sensitive border state like Punjab cannot afford protracted administrative uncertainty or interim governance at the highest tier of law enforcement.
Border State Security at Stake: Petitioner Challenges Extended Interim Setup
The judicial scrutiny stems from a petition moved before the High Court challenging the ongoing stopgap leadership of the state police machinery:
Plea Highlights Border Vulnerabilities: Petitioner and advocate Nikhil Thamman argued that Punjab shares a sensitive international border, making an empowered, regular Director General of Police essential for border management, counter-drone operations, and internal security.
Questioning Ad-Hoc Arrangements: The plea submitted that while incumbent IPS officer Gaurav Yadav continues to discharge responsibilities as DGP, the assignment remains under an interim order rather than a substantive, regular appointment executed per statutory service rules.
Demand for Finality: The petitioner urged the bench to issue directives expediting the formal appointment process, asserting that operating critical security apparatuses via temporary postings compromises institutional autonomy and command stability.
UPSC Submitted 3-Officer Panel in July: Why the Delay Persists
The proceedings brought to light that key administrative groundwork had already been cleared by the central recruiting body months earlier:
Three Senior IPS Officers Empaneled: According to submissions before the court, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) had finalized and forwarded an official panel of three eligible senior IPS officers to the Punjab government in July 2026.
Contenders on the UPSC Roster: The shortlisted panel forwarded for state-level selection comprised senior IPS officers SS Chauhan, Harpreet Sidhu, and the current officiating chief Gaurav Yadav.
Executive Inaction Challenged: Despite receiving the certified panel to select and appoint the state police chief in compliance with the Supreme Court's landmark Prakash Singh directives, the state administration had not finalized the formal appointment order.
State Cites Pending Supreme Court Hearing on October 8
During the court arguments, state legal counsel pointed out parallel judicial developments underway before the apex court:
Matter Listed Before Supreme Court: The Punjab government informed the High Court that issues concerning the procedural nuances of appointing the regular DGP are currently under review before the Supreme Court of India, with an active hearing scheduled for October 8, 2026.
High Court Maintains 10-Day Mandate: Unmoved by the parallel pendency, the High Court bench reiterated that the administrative responsibility rests squarely on the state executive, demanding that the Chief Secretary submit an unambiguous timeline within 10 days outlining the state’s path forward to regularize the leadership of Punjab Police.
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