Bhubaneswar: Odisha Jail DGP Susanta Nath has joined the proceedings in the Supreme Court over the selection of the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) as an intervenor, seeking to be heard as an affected party in the matter.
Nath has contended that the outcome of the case could have a bearing on his prospects in the DGP selection process and has therefore sought an opportunity to place his position before the apex court. The case pertains to the process followed for selecting Odisha’s police chief, including the eligibility of senior IPS officers and compliance with the Supreme Court’s earlier directions governing appointment of state DGPs.
The Supreme Court has now posted the matter for hearing on September 16. The court-appointed Amicus Curiae has also submitted a report in the case. Nath’s intervention adds a fresh dimension to the proceedings, which have so far focused largely on the state government’s selection process, the role of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and adherence to the apex court’s guidelines.
Separately, Nath’s name has surfaced in connection with the CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of police sub-inspectors in Odisha. The CBI has written to the Odisha Home Department regarding the possibility of examining Nath in the case. He was the chairman of the Odisha Police Recruitment Board during the relevant period.
His possible examination by the CBI would be for the purpose of obtaining information about the recruitment process and decisions taken by the board. The fact that an investigating agency may examine a person does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing or criminal liability.
