The state government is seriously contemplating to move the Supreme Court to challenge the verdict of state High Court of quashing the appointment of Dinesh Reddy as the Director-General of Police, it is reliably learnt.
Though the High Court verdict will no way disturb the continuance of Dinesh Reddy as state police chief, yet the state government feels otherwise. Sources close to CMO says acceptance of the HC directive may pose problems in future.
Like many other states, the Kiran government was also of the firm opinion that the appointments of state administration’s highest posts like the Chief Secretary and DGP should be left to the discretionary power of the party in power of the day, instead follow the set guidelines rigidly.
As per the Central guidelines, the state government has to submit a list half a dozen officers in order of their seniority to the UPSC and the latter in turn will shortlist it to three and send it back for consideration. One among those shortlisted three officers would be considered for the appointment of DGP.
Apparently, as many as 16 states are not following the norm. As far as Andhra Pradesh is concerned, such norm was given a go-by during the TDP rule, especially in the appointment of H J Dora, overlooking more than half a dozen seniors to him. This was followed by the successive governments.
As a result, some senior IPS officers were moved either CAT or courts. In the past, at least two senior officers, Anjaneya Reddy (against P Ramulu) and Gautam Kumar (against Girish Kumar and Aravinda Rao, besides Dinesh Reddy) – moved the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). The state government had to face flak from the CAT forcing it to move the courts. The Girish Kumar case is still pending in the Supreme Court for disposal.
Meanwhile, the state government is also contemplating to appeal to the Centre to amend the existing guidelines and empower the state government to chose and appoint their state Chief Secretaries and DGPs.
–Agencies