The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has returned the proposal sent by the Uttar Pradesh government for appointment of a new director general of police (DGP).
The UPSC has asked the state government whether the Supreme Court's guidelines were followed to remove Mukul Goel from the post of DGP before completing the minimum period of two years?
Sources said that in response to the UPSC query, the Home Department has sent its reply saying that Mukul Goel was already accused of recruitment scam and had been suspended several times due to laxity and not only this, the working style of Mukul Goel was not fit for the post of DGP.
The Home Department, while sending a reply to the UPSC, has written, “Seniority is not only the basis in the selection of DGP, but the working style and efficiency of the officer also matters. Former DGP Mukul Goel was also an accused in the recruitment scam in 2006-07. Mukul Goel was ADG (Law and Order) during Muzaffarnagar riots, and he was removed. He was also suspended as the senior superintendent of police of Saharanpur.”
The UPSC, while returning the government's proposal, has stated that the appointment of DGP in Uttar Pradesh was made in accordance with the Supreme Court order passed on September 22, 2006. A meeting was held in UPSC on June 29, 2021 and a panel of three senior most IPS officers was sent to the state government. The tenure of the DGP appointed as per the order of the Supreme Court should be at least two years. Even if he retires in between, the appointed DGP will be given a tenure of two years.
The Supreme Court has also set conditions for the removal of the DGP before the minimum tenure of two years. In this, the DGP can be removed if action is taken for violation of All India Service Rules, sentenced by court in a criminal case, proved to be a case of corruption or is incapable of discharging his duties, The DGP can be removed if he is unable to discharge.
The UPSC has stated that if any of the above cases are against Mukul Goel, then its documents should be given and if not, then is the removal of Mukul Goel not contempt of the directions of the Supreme Court? Not only this, the UPSC has asked the state government to provide self-attested bio-data of all those officers who have completed 30 years of service and are not below the rank of ADG, for the appointment of new DGP.
It may be mentioned that on May 11, 2022, the state government had removed DGP Mukul Goel on charges of inaction and he was transferred to the post of DG (Civil Security) in the public interest. On May 13, DG (Intelligence) Dr Devendra Singh Chauhan was given the charge of DGP of the state till a permanent posting was made.