Bhubaneswar, Aug 8: The selection of Odisha’s next Director General of Police (DGP) has been delayed after a high-level UPSC selection committee meeting in New Delhi failed to finalise the three-member shortlist on Friday.

The meeting was reportedly adjourned after discussions over the inclusion of senior IPS officer Sushant Nath, a 1993-batch officer currently serving as Director General of Prisons. Chief Secretary Anu Garg is learnt to have requested the withdrawal of Nath’s integrity certificate from the list of 11 senior IPS officers earlier recommended by the state government. However, UPSC Chairman Dr Ajay Kumar did not accept the proposal, reportedly citing the lack of adequate reasons or supporting information.

Despite discussions between the UPSC panel and the state’s representatives, including the Chief Secretary and current DGP Y.B. Khurania, no concrete decision could be reached. The meeting was therefore adjourned and is expected to reconvene, although the next date has not yet been announced.

DGP Y.B. Khurania is scheduled to retire on August 16. Had the three-member panel been finalised on Friday, the Odisha government could have selected the next police chief from the shortlisted officers, allowing the new DGP to take charge from August 17.

With limited time remaining, it now appears unlikely that the regular selection process will be completed before Khurania’s retirement. The state government may therefore appoint an acting or in-charge DGP temporarily.

The issue has also triggered considerable discussion within the IPS cadre, particularly over the reported move to remove Sushant Nath’s name from the 11-member panel. If Nath is removed, 1993-batch IPS officer and Intelligence Director R.P. Koche could move up to the second position, while 1994-batch officer Sanjeeb Panda could move to the third position.

If the UPSC prepares the final three-member shortlist strictly on the basis of seniority, the names of Sudhanshu Sarangi, R.P. Koche and Sanjeeb Panda are likely to figure in it. This has fuelled speculation that the state government may prefer Sanjeeb Panda for the DGP’s post.

If a new DGP is not selected by August 16, Panda could potentially be given additional charge for a short period. If his name subsequently appears in the UPSC’s three-member shortlist, the state government could then consider appointing him as the regular DGP.

The final decision, however, will depend on the outcome of the next UPSC selection committee meeting.