Shivani Pandey-
Published on August 25, 2021, at 18:48 IST
The Apex Court on Wednesday ordered the Delhi High Court to decide the plea within two weeks that questioned the appointment of Gujarat Cadre Senior IPS Officer Rakesh Asthana as the Delhi Police Commissioner.
A Bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice DY Chandrachud allowed the NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigation to approach the Delhi High Court in the matter concerning the pending plea contra the appointment of Asthana.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan representing the NGO moved the Petition and urged the Court to set aside the Centre’s Order to appoint Asthana post extending his service period.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought time of at least 4 weeks from the Delhi High Court to decide the matter however, the Bench did not agree.
The Petitioner mentioned that the appointment of Asthana as the Delhi Police Commissioner violates the judgment dated July 2018 of the Supreme Court in the case of Prakash Singh & Others v. Union of India which stated that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) shall consider only those officers for such posts who have at least two years of service as remainder.
Asthana was appointed as the Chief Delhi Police just four days before his retirement from service and was granted one year’s extension in service stating ‘public interest’.
Also Read: Appointment of Delhi Police Chief Rakesh Ashtana Challenged