The Centre has moved the Supreme Court alleging that Jharkhand acted in complete defiance of the Prakash Singh directions on DGP appointments, and has sought early listing of its application.
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New Delhi: The Union of India has moved the Supreme Court against the State of Jharkhand in the Prakash Singh police reforms matter, alleging that the State acted in “complete defiance” of the Court’s directions on the appointment of Directors General of Police [Prakash Singh v. Union of India].
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned the application before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who said the application be listed the next day. Mr. Mehta later pointed out that the application was not shown in the next day’s list, that other matters were coming up, and that one more matter on the same issue is also pending.
The Centre’s application
According to the application, Jharkhand’s 2025 Regulation on the appointment of the police chief and the State’s DGP appointments run contrary to the directions laid down in the Prakash Singh judgment. These are the Union’s allegations. The State’s response is awaited and the Court has made no finding.
Why the development matters
The Prakash Singh directions were meant to insulate police leadership from political interference through a fixed tenure and a merit-based selection process. A challenge by the Union against a State’s appointment regime brings the enforcement of those directions back before the Court. The listing and the State’s reply will decide how the Court proceeds.
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Matter: Prakash Singh v. Union of India (police reforms), application of the Union of India against the State of Jharkhand
Before: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Supreme Court of India
Date: October 7, 2026
Appearances: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for the Union of India