Transfers & Postings · eGov
The Supreme Court is examining whether DGP appointment rules in Jharkhand and other states comply with its directions in the Prakash Singh case, with a comprehensive amicus report now sought.
✦ AI SUMMARY 30-second read
- Jharkhand DGP Tadasha Mishra, appointed a day before retirement, has continued in the post for around eight to nine months; the Court may set aside her appointment if the underlying rule is found invalid.
- Amicus curiae Raju Ramachandran told the Court that rules similar to Jharkhand's exist in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, prompting the Chief Justice to seek a nationwide report on DGP appointment frameworks.
- Mishra has been permitted to file her counter-affidavit by November 16, 2026; the Union government, through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, agreed to provide a consolidated account of legislative and executive frameworks across states.
Why it matters: The Court's ruling could affect DGP appointment arrangements in multiple states and determine whether officers appointed under non-compliant rules may continue in post.
This summary was generated by AI. Editors may review and update it.
The Supreme Court is examining the rules governing the appointment of Directors General of Police across states, with Jharkhand at the centre of the proceedings. The case arises from the Court's earlier directions in the Prakash Singh judgment on police reforms.
During the latest hearing, amicus curiae and senior advocate Raju Ramachandran submitted that Jharkhand's rule on DGP appointments was contrary to those directions — a view the Court had expressed on a prima facie basis in its October 8, 2026 order. That order had noted that if the rule were found invalid, the consequential appointment of the incumbent DGP would also have to be set aside.
The Jharkhand appointment
The appointment of serving Jharkhand DGP Tadasha Mishra came under direct scrutiny. Counsel submitted that Mishra was appointed a day before her retirement and has since continued in the post for around eight to nine months, making her, by that submission, a retired officer who would otherwise have been ineligible to serve as state police chief.
The State government was asked to serve notice on Mishra, giving her an opportunity to appear before the Court. Mishra has since entered appearance through counsel and will file a counter-affidavit. The Court has set November 16, 2026 as the deadline for that filing.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Jharkhand, told the Court that he had spoken to the Chief Secretary and that the state would examine the matter before filing an appropriate application or affidavit.
The wider national exercise
Ramachandran informed the Court that he had already submitted his report on Jharkhand and had also examined similar arrangements in other states. He pointed to Uttar Pradesh and Punjab as having rules comparable to Jharkhand's. He noted, in particular, that Uttar Pradesh had stated in its affidavit before the Court that it was continuing to follow the Prakash Singh directions, even as its rule mirrored the one being challenged.
The amicus cautioned that examining the Jharkhand rule in isolation would be inappropriate, since a ruling by the Court could have implications for other states with similar provisions. The Chief Justice asked him to submit a comprehensive report identifying deficiencies in the systems followed across the country, covering both legislative and executive arrangements.
Union government's role
The Court discussed the need to determine whether states have enacted separate laws, framed rules or issued executive orders for DGP appointments, and whether these are being implemented in practice. Ramachandran referred to an application filed by Prashant Bhushan on behalf of Prakash Singh, which seeks such details from the Union government and states.
The Court agreed that the Union government could provide a consolidated account of the existing legislative and executive frameworks and asked it to file replies. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta agreed to do so.
What happens next
The Court directed the Registry to accept the amicus's comprehensive note and circulate it among counsel for all parties. The matter will be examined in the light of Ramachandran's report, the Jharkhand government's response and Mishra's counter-affidavit, which is due by November 16, 2026.
About the officer
Tadasha Mishra
| Service | IPS · Jharkhand |
|---|---|
| New post | Director General of Police, Jharkhand |
| Career so far | Mishra was appointed Director General of Police, Jharkhand, a day before her retirement and has continued in the post for around eight to nine months thereafter. |