Court refuses to quash Delhi top cop's appointment

The Delhi High Court Friday dismissed a plea challenging the appointment of Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar on the grounds of alleged abuse of power and rights violation.

A division bench of Chief Justice D. Murugesan and Justice Jayant Nath accepted the recommendations of the lieutenant governor that Neeraj Kumar's ACR (annual confidential reports) records in his entire career were "outstanding".

The bench also accepted the home ministry's order - it had on May 28 rejected the petitioner's representation seeking quashing of Neeraj Kumar's appointment.

The petitioner is M.S. Devasayam, a retired Indian Administrative Service officer from Chennai.

"It is pointed out that as per the rules, the lieutenant governor has sent a panel of three names in order of preference for selection of commissioner of police, Delhi. The ACR records of Neeraj Kumar in his entire career are outstanding, and, therefore, the recommendation of the lieutenant governor was accepted. He was also the senior most officer," the court said, accepting the governor's recommendations.

"In view of the order of home ministry dated May 28, 2013, we see no reason to pass any orders in the writ petition. Same is dismissed."

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Rajeeve Mehra, appearing for the home ministry, had earlier told the bench that the petitioner's representation was rejected by the home ministry on May 28.

The court had asked the former IAS officer to make a representation before the home ministry and directed the ministry to decide on it.

The ASG had earlier said the allegations against the commissioner had not been substantiated.

"There has been no lawlessness in the tenure of Neeraj Kumar. In fact, the comparative figures of crimes under major heads like dacoity, murder and kidnapping during his tenure in Delhi are lower than the corresponding period of last year," the ministry said.

The petitioner had said the police commissioner was facing serious allegations of misuse and abuse of power, fabrication of documents and violation of human rights.

Neeraj Kumar, a 1976-batch Indian Police Service officer, was appointed the police commissioner of the city in June 2012.