Bhubaneswar, September 22: The hearing on the selection process for new Director General of Police (DGP) in Odisha will continue on September 23 in the Suprme Court.
During today’s hearing, a bench comprising CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana examined Director General (DG) of Prisons and Correctional Service Susanta Kumar Nath’s exclusion, the withholding of his integrity certificate and the timing of two temporary ex-cadre posts.
Senior advocate Karuna Nundy, appearing for Nath, said his client had an unblemished 32-year service record and questioned the withdrawal of his integrity certificate.
Senior advocate P Chidambaram appearing for the PIL petitioner, alleged that zone of consideration was altered to exclude senior IPS officer Nath and bring junior officers into contention.
“In May 2026, Odisha sent letter to CBI seeking information regarding status of investigation of one Mr Nath. CBI stated that the case pertaining to malpractices was under investigation and Mr Sushanta Nath may be required to be examined. Odisha requested commission to postpone meeting. MHA accorded approval. Odisha promoted two persons to DGP. They had to disqualify one of the 3, promote the 4th/5th man, who is allegedly preferred choice. They wrote to CBI. CBI said nothing about his integrity. They withhold his integrity certificate. Then they create two posts and write to GoI to give concurrence. MHA gives concurrence to the posts. Next day they promote. This is outrageous,” said Chidambaram.
Chidambaram contended, “They had to find a way to promote an officer. They revised the list. It happens in two days. On August 7, they request UPSC to postpone meeting. On August 8, they send proposal to create two posts. The next day- MHA accords approval. Same day - they promote him. This is collusion, conspiracy intended to disqualify a senior office and promote a lower officer. Of their choice. Guidelines fully in compliance with Prakash Singh judgment.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the Odisha Government.
“I have prepared note for Odisha. Foundation appears to be little misconceived. If it can't get over today, have it tomorrow. There are issues which we would like your lordships to consider,” said Mehta.
Responding to Mehta, CJI Surya Kant said, “Of course we will consider. We will continue tomorrow.”
The Supreme Court was hearing a PIL which alleges that Odisha was trying to shortlist a junior-rank officer for the post of DGP, contrary to the Supreme Court’s directions in the Prakash Singh case.
The plea alleges that the Odisha Government initially forwarded the names of three senior officers - Sudhanshu Sarangi, a 1990-batch IPS officer, and Susanta Kumar Nath and R P Koche, both from the 1993 batch, for consideration by the UPSC for DGP post. However, before the UPSC could take a call on the three names, the State expanded the list to 11 officers by adding eight IPS officers from the 1994 to 1996 batches.
On August 10, the issue gained significance after the State Government promoted two 1994-batch IPS officers, Sanjeeb Kumar Panda and Yeshwant Kumar Jethwa, to the rank of DGP.
During previous hearing on August 13, the apex court directed the UPSC not to finalise the selection of the DGP and defer the hearing.
