MHA nixes AP's panel of names for DGP post, calls for new list

The Centre has rejected a panel of names submitted by the state government for the selection and appointment of the state DGP (Head of Police Force) and directed it to prepare a panel afresh.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs rejected the panel, containing seven names, chosen for selection and appointment of the DGP (HoPF).
The MHA, in a letter written to AP Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar on November 2, said, "It is learnt that after the retirement of J V Ramudu in July 2016, the state government has not appointed full time DGP which is in contravention of the Supreme Court orders in Prakash Singh case. Having not found an officer fit for full appointment since July 2016, recommending his name in the panel on the verge of retirement is against the spirit of the Supreme Court judgment."

Referring to the state's letter dated October 23, the MHA said that out of the seven officers (for selection and appointment of DGP-HoPF), three IPS are going to retire within a year.
"In this connection, it is stated that the spirit of the Supreme Court order in the case of Prakash Singh and others vs the Union of India was to provide a fixed to year tenure to the DGP (HoPF) in order to enable him discharge his responsibilities in a professional manner," the MHA observed.
There are currently seven IPS officers in the AP cadre of the rank of Director General of Police.

Of them, one Varun Sindhu Kul Kaumudi is currently on Central deputation to the National Investigation Agency.

Now that the MHA eliminated the names of S V Ramana Murthy (1982 batch), Sambasiva Rao (1984) and M Malakondaiah (1985), the four officers of the 1986 batch are eligible for the DGP (HoPF) post.
Kaumudi is the senior-most of the four and will be in service till the end of November 2022.
Indications are that Kaumudi is ready to return to the state cadre in case the government chooses him for the DGP (HoPF) post.
A topper of the 1986 IPS batch, Kaumudi is the most upright and professional officer who doesnt give in to political whims.

Ram Prawesh Thakur, another front-runner who is currently DG of Anti-Corruption Bureau, has four more years of service while Damodar Gautam Sawang, now Vijayawada police commissioner, will retire only in July 2023.
Vinay Ranjan Ray, current DG of Prisons, will superannuate in September 2019.