The Jharkhand High Court on Monday granted another opportunity to the state government, central government, and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to submit their responses in connection with a contempt petition filed by BJP leader Babulal Marandi. The petition challenges the appointment of Anurag Gupta as the Director General of Police (DGP) of Jharkhand.
The division bench, headed by Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao, had earlier heard the matter on March 24 and directed all respondents to file their replies by June 16. However, during Monday’s hearing, the court decided to provide one final opportunity for compliance.
Advocate Sumit Gadodia told media that the next hearing of the case will be on July 15. The Advocate General told the division bench that this matter is also pending in the Supreme Court.
Marandi, who is also the LoP in the Jharkhand Assembly, in his petition, has alleged that the appointment of Anurag Gupta violated the Supreme Court's directives and UPSC guidelines regarding the selection process for the post of DGP.
He contended that the state government removed former DGP Ajay Kumar Singh before the completion of his two-year tenure without any substantial allegations, in contravention of top court’s guidelines. The contempt petition names several top officials as respondents, including Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari, Home Secretary Vandana Dadel, DGP Anurag Gupta, Chairman of the DGP Selection Committee Justice (Retd) Ratnakar Bhengra, and former DGP Neeraj Sinha, who was also a member of the selection panel.
The Advocate General informed the division bench comprising Chief Justice S. Ramchandra Rao and Justice Deepak Roshan that a related case is also pending before the Supreme Court.
In his PIL, Marandi alleged that the state government bypassed constitutional norms and misused the police administration for political gain. He pointed out that the Supreme Court had mandated that appointments of DGPs must follow a UPSC-led selection process unless the state enacts a formal law. Instead of legislating, the Jharkhand government framed a rule in 2025 and sought to implement it retrospectively, which Marandi criticised as a deliberate attempt to subvert legal procedures.
He further accused the government of rushing Gupta’s appointment despite his controversial past, including being an accused in an electoral fraud case, facing suspension, and being kept away from election duties by the Election Commission. Marandi claimed the appointment was aimed at extending Gupta’s tenure, as he was due to retire in April 2025.
The opposition leader has also requested that the High Court take suo motu cognisance of the matter and order a CBI investigation. Additionally, he has filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutional validity of the newly framed appointment rules in light of previous apex court judgments.