Telangana HC Questions Appointment Of IPS To IAS Posts, Seeks Rationale Behind Congress Govt’s Move

The Telangana High Court has come down heavily on the Congress government in the state for appointing IPS officers to posts designated for the IAS cadre. Issuing notices to the government, the court sought a clear rationale behind the decision and demanded a detailed explanation for the appointment, questioning the legality and necessity of placing police service officers in key civil administration roles.

Justice Surepally Nanda asked the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary (General Administration Department) to submit their counter-affidavits by December 10 on the matter, reported NDTV.

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A writ petition filed by Hyderabad-based lawyer and social activist Vadla Srikanth mentioned names of three high-profile IPS officials who were given posts in the IAS cadre:

IPS Shikha Goel has been made the Director General, Vigilance and Enforcement, and ex-officio principal secretary, GAD.

IPS Stephen Ravindra has been appointed as Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Ex-Officio principal secretary to the government.

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IPS and former Hyderabad Commissioner, CV Anand is appointed as Special Chief Secretary, Home Department.

The trend of elevating IPS officers to the rank of principal secretary is said to have started under the previous BRS government in 2014.

Special pleader Rahul Reddy, appearing for Telangana government, requested some time from the court to prepare and file a comprehensive counter-affidavit.