The state of Tamil Nadu is now facing a second legal challenge in the ongoing dispute surrounding the appointment of a permanent Director-General of Police (DGP) and Head of Police Force (HoPF).
Human rights activist Henri Tiphagne, based in Madurai, has initiated this contempt proceeding against the State Chief Secretary. His petition alleges that a permanent DGP/HoPF has still not been appointed, even though the state government has received the approved list of empanelled officers from the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Upholding Supreme Court Guidelines
Mr. Tiphagne argues in his petition that the state’s failure to act constitutes a clear violation of the directives established by the Supreme Court in the landmark Prakash Singh case.
Following his previous contempt petition, the Supreme Court had explicitly ordered the UPSC to promptly finalize the empanelment process and instructed the state government to immediately proceed with the appointment of a regular DGP.
Currently, G. Venkatraman serves as the acting DGP of Tamil Nadu, a position he assumed after the retirement of former Head of Police Force, Shankar Jiwal.
In compliance with the Supreme Court’s order, the UPSC held an Empanelment Committee Meeting in Delhi on September 26, 2025. The purpose of this meeting was to create a shortlist of three DGP-rank officers deemed suitable for the crucial DGP/HoPF position.
According to Mr. Tiphagne, following this meeting, the UPSC finalized and forwarded the names of three eligible DGP candidates to the Tamil Nadu government. Despite receiving this vital list, the state has allegedly neglected its responsibility to promptly appoint a permanent DGP, as mandated by the UPSC committee’s communication.
Mr. Tiphagne emphasized that no official notification for the appointment has been issued by the state for over 15 days since the UPSC committee’s communication. He highlighted that the ad-hoc/in-charge DGP has remained in the position since August 31, 2025, asserting that this prolonged delay is a direct breach of the Supreme Court’s established guidelines.