The Centre has approached the Supreme Court challenging the appointment of Jharkhand DGP Tadasha Mishra, alleging that the State government violated the procedure prescribed by the top court for appointing a police chief.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned the Centre’s application before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana on Wednesday. The bench agreed to hear the plea and directed that it be listed.

The Centre has sought directions to Jharkhand to follow the procedure laid down by the Supreme Court for the appointment of a Director General of Police (DGP). It has also sought a declaration that DGP appointments made under Jharkhand’s 2025 Regulation are illegal.

The challenge concerns the Selection and Appointment of Director General and Inspector General of Police, Jharkhand (Head of the Police Force) Regulation, 2025, notified on January 8, 2025.

The Centre has asked the Supreme Court to direct the State to implement the directions issued in the Prakash Singh case in their entirety. Alternatively, it has sought a declaration that appointments made under the 2025 Regulation are invalid.

The plea also challenges the appointments of IPS officers Anurag Gupta and Tadasha Mishra as DGP.

Gupta was appointed DGP on February 2, 2025, despite having around three months of service remaining at the time. Mishra was appointed on December 30, 2025, a day before her scheduled superannuation. Her appointment followed an amendment to the State’s regulation removing the requirement of at least six months of residual service for appointment as DGP.

According to the Centre, Jharkhand selectively relied on the Supreme Court’s directions in the Prakash Singh case to provide DGPs with a two-year tenure while disregarding the prescribed selection process involving the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The Centre has argued that the Supreme Court’s directions must be implemented as a whole and cannot be selectively applied.

The plea also refers to earlier proceedings before the Supreme Court concerning Jharkhand’s failure to forward its proposal for appointing a DGP to the UPSC. The Court had, on May 19, 2026, directed the State to file an affidavit regarding compliance.

The Prakash Singh case relates to the Supreme Court’s continuing oversight of police reforms. Since 2006, the Court has issued directions aimed at ensuring greater institutional independence, transparent appointments and stability in the tenure of senior police officers.

Under the Supreme Court’s framework, a State government is required to appoint its DGP from a panel of three officers shortlisted by the UPSC on the basis of their service record, seniority and experience. The selected officer is ordinarily entitled to a minimum two-year tenure, irrespective of the date of superannuation.