Appoint Nagaland DGP by December 19: Supreme Court

Mokokchung, December 9 (MTNews): The Supreme Court on Friday sternly directed the Nagaland government, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), to finalize the process of appointment of the state Director General of Police on or before December 19.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, said failure to comply with court’s directions may lead to use of “coercive arms of law” by it.

The bench, also comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha, declined to grant a 60 day time period, which was sought by the UPSC to finalise the appointment of the police chief of Nagaland. The Apex Court rejected an application filed by the UPSC seeking an additional 60 days to take the final decision. The UPSC had sought additional time for convening the empanelment committee meeting for preparing a panel of officers for appointment to the post of DGP, Nagaland on the ground that the consultation with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs is under process.The bench said the final decision should be taken on or before December 19.

The apex court was hearing a plea seeking enforcement of its directions on appointment of the DGP. Disappointed that the fresh appointment is being stalled, a Bench comprising CJI, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and P.S. Narasimha noted that UPSC is duty bound to enforce the order of the Supreme Court.

On October 17, the Supreme Court had pulled up the Nagaland government for extending the tenure of the DGP after his superannuation. Then, the top court had noted that incumbent IPS officer T.J. Longkumer participated in a meeting of the State Police Establishment Board, headed by the Chief Secretary, which recommended his 6-months extension. The top court said the state government should put its house in order, and asked it to provide fresh names of eligible officers from the state cadre to the UPSC for the new police chief’s appointment.

Last year, Longkumer was given an extension till August 31, 2022 and he was again given an extension of six months till February 2023.

“Nagaland Law Students’ Federation, an intervenor in the matter, has alleged that Nagaland state has acted in an arbitrary and illegal manner, to an officer at the highest post in the State Police, who first does not belong to the State Cadre, who already served his tenure, whose name has been rejected by the UPSC for a further extension, and who is today continuing on the said post,” ANI reported.

The Federation also alleged that it indicates the malafide intent of the State Government and has sought to recall the Order dated August 31, 2022, granting a six-month extension till February next year to T. John Longkumer, IPS after his superannuation.

Presently, 1991 batch IPS officer T J Longkumer is continuing as the Nagaland DGP. Longkumer was appointed as the DGP on June 27, 2018. He was given a one-year extension last year till August 31, 2022.