Odisha DGP Selection Row: Supreme Court Defers Hearing to September 16

New Delhi / Bhubaneswar, 7 September 2026: The selection of Odisha's next Director General of Police (DGP) remains under consideration before the Supreme Court, which has deferred the matter for further hearing on September 16, 2026.

The development follows the submission of a report by Amicus Curiae Raju Ramachandran in connection with allegations concerning the state's compliance with the Supreme Court's police reform guidelines.

Petition Challenging DGP Selection Process

The petition was filed by Jayanta Das of Balasore, represented by Advocate-on-Record (AOR) Mukesh Kumar. Senior Advocate P. Chidambaram appeared in the matter.

The petitioner has raised questions over the process followed by the Odisha government in forwarding names to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for consideration of the DGP post.

According to the petitioner's allegations, the government initially forwarded three names before subsequently sending an expanded list of 11 officers. The petitioner has alleged that the changes affected the consideration of senior officers.

The state government, however, has raised objections concerning the petitioner's background and has made allegations against him. These claims are part of the proceedings and should not be treated as established findings unless confirmed by the court.

Supreme Court Guidelines on DGP Appointment

The dispute involves the Supreme Court's directions concerning the appointment and tenure of police chiefs.

Prakash Singh Judgment

In its landmark Prakash Singh judgment, the Supreme Court laid down guidelines concerning police reforms, including the process for selection of the DGP from a panel prepared through the UPSC based on relevant service considerations.

Residual Service Requirement

A subsequent Supreme Court clarification addressed the eligibility of officers for consideration for the DGP post, including the requirement relating to the remaining period of service before retirement.

The petitioner has alleged that Odisha's selection process did not comply with these requirements. The allegations remain subject to consideration by the Supreme Court.

Changes in the List of Officers

The state initially forwarded a list of three officers to the UPSC and later submitted an expanded list of 11 officers. The petitioner has questioned the circumstances surrounding the change.

Two Additional Director General-level officers, Sanjeeb Kumar Panda and Yeshwant Kumar Jethwa, both from the 1994 batch, were promoted to the rank of Director General shortly before the retirement of incumbent DGP Y.B. Khurania on August 16.

Amicus Curiae Report

Amicus Curiae Raju Ramachandran has submitted his report to the Supreme Court in connection with the matter. The court is expected to consider the report along with the submissions of the parties during the next hearing.

The Supreme Court has posted the matter for further consideration on September 16, 2026.

Interim Arrangement in Odisha

Following the retirement of Y.B. Khurania, senior IPS officer Vinaytosh Mishra, a 1993-batch officer and DG CID & Crime Branch, is holding additional charge as DGP.

The Supreme Court's next hearing is expected to provide further clarity on the issues raised regarding the DGP selection process and the list of officers submitted for consideration.