Ranchi, May 2
Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, Babulal Marandi, on Friday accused the Hemant Soren government of illegally retaining "retired" IPS officer Anurag Gupta as the Director General of Police.
Citing a letter from the Union Home Ministry to the state government, Marandi said that Gupta was clearly instructed to retire on April 30, 2025, upon attaining the age of 60. "Despite this, he continues to hold the post of DGP, which is illegal," Marandi said at a press conference held at the state BJP headquarters here.
He asserted that only the Central government has the authority to grant service extensions to IAS or IPS officers under the All India Services cadre.
"This is beyond the jurisdiction of the state government. As per rules, Gupta automatically retired on April 30, yet the Chief Minister continues to keep him in charge of the state police," he said.
Marandi warned that any work or decisions undertaken by Gupta as DGP beyond April 30 are legally invalid.
"According to the Centre, Anurag Gupta’s tenure has ended, and as of now, Jharkhand legally has no DGP. He also held the posts of Director General of ACB and CID -- all three positions are now vacant. This is an unprecedented situation in the country," he added.
The former Chief Minister also alleged a "nexus" between CM Soren and Gupta. Marandi claimed that Gupta, acting on the CM’s directions, has been threatening witnesses in several Enforcement Directorate (ED) cases and their investigations and has even falsely implicated several individuals, leading to their imprisonment.
Marandi further alleged that illegal mining and coal theft are thriving in the state with the tacit support of the government and the police, with proceeds allegedly reaching the ruling establishment.
He also dubbed Gupta a “tainted officer†and said that Gupta was suspended for 22 months by the Soren government itself. "The sudden affection the Chief Minister has developed for him is inexplicable," he remarked.
Marandi also released a letter dated April 22, written by Sanjeev Kumar, Under Secretary in the Union Home Ministry, addressed to the Jharkhand Chief Secretary, stating that the state government’s notification appointing Gupta, a 1990-batch IPS officer, as DGP for two years from February 2, 2025, was in violation of established norms and the Supreme Court’s directions in the Prakash Singh case.
"The rules framed by the Jharkhand government and the appointments made under them are not valid. As per Rule 16(1) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958, Anurag Gupta cannot be legally retained in service after April 30," the letter said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
If the Home Ministry's letter is authentic, this is a serious violation of service rules. The Supreme Court's Prakash Singh judgment was meant to bring police reforms, not allow such manipulations. Why is the state government so desperate to retain this particular officer? 🤔
As someone from Jharkhand, I'm deeply concerned about these allegations. Illegal mining has been destroying our forests and tribal lands for years. If the police chief is compromised, who will protect our natural resources? The government must clarify its position.
While Marandi raises valid points, let's not forget he's from BJP and this could be political mudslinging. The timing seems suspicious with elections approaching. The state government should present their side properly instead of staying silent.
This sets a dangerous precedent! If every state starts bending rules to keep favored officers, it will destroy the neutrality of civil services. The Centre must intervene immediately before other states get similar ideas.
The allegations about threatening ED witnesses are serious if true. But where's the proof? Both sides need to come clean - BJP shouldn't make claims without evidence, and the government shouldn't ignore legitimate questions. Our democracy deserves better than this tamasha.
As a law student, I'm shocked at how brazenly rules are being violated. The Home Ministry letter clearly states the violation of AIS rules. Why isn't the Jharkhand HC taking suo moto cognizance? This affects the entire justice system's credibility. ðŸ˜
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