By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Government trying to promote an ADGP and then Smuggle him into the Final list and get him considered, Senior Advocate P Chidambaram told Supreme Court appearing for Petitioner
Senior Advocate P Chidambaram: The State of Odisha is breaching the Prakash Singh judgment. On August 7, 2026, the UPSC was meeting to select from among the three DGPs. Odisha withdrew the list. They were permitted to withdraw the list, and they are now making another list to send.
This is a complete breach of the Prakash Singh guidelines and Your Lordships’ directions. Only Level 16 officers can be considered. They are trying to promote an ADGP, either today or last night, and then smuggle him into the list and get him considered.
CJI Surya Kant: Is there any application?
Chidambaram: I have seen all the orders, and Your Lordships have said clearly that only Level 16 officers must be sent. After that, when some of these States were acting in breach, the UPSC approached this Court saying that the States were either not sending the panel or were not sending a panel of eligible officers.
The panel was sent in April. They then withdrew that panel. They sent another panel in May comprising three DGPs plus eight ADGPs. On August 7, the UPSC demurred and said, “We will only consider the DGP level.”
Then, on the meeting day, or the previous day, or during the meeting, they purported to withdraw the list. They are now frantically trying to prepare another list and send it.
CJI: We expect the UPSC to adhere to our judgment.
Sr Adv P Chidambaram : This is a public interest litigation. No officer will file a writ petition.
CJI: There was one State officer who came to us.
Chidambaram: No, no. Usually police officers at that level, waiting to be appointed DGP, will not go against the government. This is a public interest litigation. The petitioner is the son of a freedom fighter. He has also espoused several public interest causes, including the Odisha chit fund scam, and has formed an association.
We are only concerned because last time Your Lordships had permitted the UPSC to approach this Court in the event such a situation arose.
CJI: First, we will expect the UPSC
.. they are well aware of who is eligible and who can be considered. If a panel of ineligible officers is being sent, we expect the UPSC to act in accordance with our directions.
Chidambaram: I submitted to Your Lordships that they are trying to promote an ADGP to DGP, either last night or this morning, put him in the list, and then say, “These are the DGPs.” This is all in gross breach of the directions. Kindly list it tomorrow, or whenever Your Lordships deem fit.
CJI: We will list it tomorrow
