DGP appointment row: second contempt petition moved towards Tamil Nadu authorities

A second contempt petition has been moved towards the State of Tamil Nadu within the ongoing row over the appointment of an everyday Director-General of Police (DGP)/Head of Police Force (HoPF).

Madurai-based rights activist Henri Tiphagne has filed the contempt towards the State Chief Secretary for not appointing an everyday DGP/HoPF regardless of having obtained the listing of empanelled officers authorized by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

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In his petition, he mentioned the motion of the State was violative of the rules laid down by the Supreme Court within the Prakash Singh case.

Disposing of his earlier contempt plea, the Supreme Court has directed the UPSC to expeditiously full the method of empanelment and directed the State authorities to take steps forthwith to nominate an everyday DGP.

At current, G. Venkatraman holds the submit of appearing DGP of Tamil Nadu after the retirement of the then incumbent HoPF Shankar Jiwal.

Pursuant to the apex court docket order, the UPSC had convened the Empanelment Committee Meeting in Delhi on September 26, 2025, to shortlist the panel of three DGP-rank officers match for appointment to the submit of DGP/HoPF.

After the assembly, Mr. Tiphagne mentioned the names of three DGPs had been finalised and despatched to the Tamil Nadu authorities by the UPSC. However, having obtained the listing of officers eligible to be appointed, the State had failed in its responsibility to take needed steps forthwith on the communication by the UPSC committee, to nominate an everyday DGP.

“The State has not issued notification concerning the appointment for greater than 15 days from the date of communication from the UPSC committee. It is pertinent to notice that the ad-hoc/in-charge DGP continues to carry the submit from August 31, 2025, until date. This is a transparent violation of the rules laid down by the Supreme Court,” Mr. Tiphagne added.