Jharkhand High Court notice on Babulal Marandi’s plea against DGP’s appointment

Mail News Service

Ranchi, March 24: The Jharkhand High Court on Monday heard Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi’s petition challenging the appointment of Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta. After reviewing the petitioner’s arguments, the court issued notices to the state government, UPSC, and other respondents. The next hearing was scheduled for June 16. The case is being heard by a division bench of Justice S Ramachandra Rao and Justice Deepak Roshan.

Marandi had termed Anurag Gupta’s appointment as DGP illegal, calling it a violation of Supreme Court directives. He alleged that the Hemant Soren-led government bypassed the UPSC-recommended selection process and appointed Gupta arbitrarily. He pointed out that the Supreme Court mandated DGP appointments through UPSC unless a state law provided otherwise.

Additionally, Marandi accused Gupta of electoral malpractice, stating that he was suspended for two years, had an FIR lodged against him, and was barred from election duties by the Election Commission. He questioned the government’s decision to appoint a controversial and tainted officer to such a critical position, suggesting that the Hemant government was shielding him by granting him this role.