The ‘Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh Selection and Appointment Rules, 2024' was cleared by the state Cabinet.
Officials said the decision was taken citing a Supreme Court order dated September 22, 2006, in which, according to officials, the apex court expressed its expectation that state governments enact a new Police Act that would be capable of keeping the police system free from pressures, safeguarding the rights of citizens and establishing the rule of law.
The committee for the selection and appointment of the DGP will be headed by a retired judge of the High Court and will also include the Chief Secretary of the state, a nominee of the UPSC, the chairperson or nominee of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, the Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary, Home Department, as well as a retired DGP as its members.
Under the new rules, the nomination committee shall be constituted on the basis of merit of those officers, who have a minimum period of six months of service left from the date of creation of vacancy in the post of DGP.
Further, the new rules would also fix the minimum tenure of the DGP at two years, i.e. once selected for appointment, the police chief should serve for a minimum of two years.
Further, guidelines passed by the Supreme Court have been followed in the provisions relating to the removal of the DGP from his post.
“He may be relieved of his responsibilities by the state government before the completion of the aforesaid period of two years in case any criminal case or case of corruption is filed against him, or if he otherwise fails to discharge his duties and responsibilities,” an official said.
In view of the spirit contained in the said order, it appears appropriate that the chief of the Uttar Pradesh state police force should be selected in such a manner that the holder of the said post is able to achieve the objectives envisaged by the Hon'ble Supreme Court,” an official said.
A government spokesperson said the objective of the new rules is to establish an independent and transparent mechanism for selection of the DGP. “The said selection is free from political or executive interference and is also in accordance with the specific conditions and policing requirements of the State of Uttar Pradesh,” an official said.
In a post on X, Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav asked, “Is this an attempt to take the reins from Delhi into one's own hands? Delhi vs Lucknow 2.0.”
Ram Kumar Kaushik is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience across mediums. The architect of this news website, he is also a consultant with several media groups. He was formerly the group managing editor of ITV Network (NewsX, India News and The Sunday Guardian) and its digital products.
