Punjab & Haryana High Court directs Punjab Government to appoint regular DGP; seeks compliance affidavit from Chief Secretary
Ravi Jakhu/Babushahi Network
Chandigarh, October 1, 2026: The Punjab & Haryana High Court today directed the State of Punjab to appoint a regular Director General of Police (Head of Police Force), Punjab, in accordance with the binding directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
Bench comprising of Hon’ble Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (CWP(PIL)-252-2026) filed by Advocate Nikhil Thamman.
During the hearing, the State of Punjab informed the Court that the Hon’ble Supreme Court had already taken cognizance of the matter and that a compliance affidavit had been filed before the Supreme Court. A copy of the said affidavit was also annexed with the affidavit submitted before the High Court today. The compliance affidavit reportedly stated that the panel recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for appointment of the DGP, Punjab, is under active consideration of the State Government.
Upon consideration of the submissions made by the State, the High Court directed the Punjab Government to appoint a regular DGP and further ordered that a compliance affidavit of the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab, be filed before the Court on next date 13.10.2016
Petitioner told that court that Punjab has not had a regular DGP (Head of Police Force) for more than four years, with the highest post in the State Police Force continuing under an additional-charge arrangement.
Advocate Nikhil Thamman has contended that such a prolonged arrangement raises serious institutional concerns, as an officer holding the post merely on additional charge may remain in a potentially compromising position, without the institutional security and assured tenure contemplated for a regularly appointed DGP. The petitioner also submitted that stable and independent leadership at the highest level of the police force is essential for upholding the Rule of Law and maintaining public confidence in policing.
It is worth mentioning here that the Petitioner in his PIL has relied upon the landmark judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in *Prakash Singh & Others v. Union of India & Others*, (2006) 8 SCC 1, and the subsequent order dated 13.03.2019, reported as (2019) 4 SCC 13, wherein the Supreme Court prescribed the procedure for selection and appointment of State DGPs through UPSC empanelment and categorically held that there is no concept of an “acting” DGP.
The matter has been adjourned to 13.10.2026, by which date the State Government is required to place its compliance on record through an affidavit of the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab