Who Will Lead Uttar Pradesh Police? The Countdown to DGP Appointment Begins!
The Race for Uttar Pradesh's Top Cop
As the acting DGP Prashant Kumar prepares to retire on May 31, the competition to head the Uttar Pradesh police is intensifying, yet the process remains stagnant. The state administration has not yet forwarded a candidate list to the UPSC, nor has it initiated the selection process under the newly established DGP appointment guidelines, leaving the future of the position shrouded in uncertainty.
These recently introduced guidelines, touted as a means to streamline the selection process, establish a state-led committee chaired by a retired High Court judge. However, critics argue that this is merely a tactic to diminish the Centre's influence and maintain tighter political control over the appointment.
Several notable candidates are circulating within political circles, with Tilottama Verma, a 1990-batch officer and current DG (Training), being the most prominent. If appointed, she would make history as the first female DGP of India’s largest state, a significant and overdue milestone. Her credentials with the CBI are impressive, and her seniority is unquestionable, especially following her husband, senior IPS officer Ashish Gupta, taking voluntary retirement last month, which may pave the way for her promotion.
Other contenders include Daljit Singh Chaudhary from the BSF, who has extensive experience in central forces; Alok Sharma, the SPG chief; and Rajiv Krishna, who leads the state’s police recruitment board and is known for his calm demeanor and competence. However, the government's inaction could jeopardize these prospects.
Despite the new regulations, lingering concerns persist: will the selection prioritize merit, integrity, and experience, or will political expediency prevail once more? A groundbreaking appointment is on the horizon, but delays could transform it into yet another political maneuvering game, where strategy overshadows public service.
Environmental Concerns in Telangana
In Telangana, weekends have become a time for more than just relaxation; they are also being used to covertly clear forests. However, the Supreme Court has taken notice and is not pleased.
During a recent hearing, the Court criticized the Telangana government for the unlawful felling of hundreds of trees in the Kancha Gachibowli forest, adjacent to Hyderabad Central University. This operation occurred during a long weekend when the SC’s forest bench was unavailable, raising suspicions about its timing. The Court's message was unequivocal: restore the forest within two months, or the Chief Secretary could face imprisonment.
Chief Justice B.R. Gavai did not hold back, warning the state government of potential contempt charges. He described the tree removal as 'preplanned' and 'deliberate.' The state's defense—that the land was not officially classified as forest and that only 'exempted' trees were cut—was dismissed by the Court. Without the necessary environmental clearances and documentation, the state may face severe repercussions.
A report from the Central Empowered Committee, appointed by the Court, confirmed fears that over 100 acres were cleared without proper authorization. This land is crucial for wildlife corridors and natural water sources, yet it was targeted for an IT park.
The Supreme Court has drawn a firm line, emphasizing that this issue transcends mere environmental concerns; it addresses state impunity and the assumption that actions go unnoticed. The Court has made it clear: weekends will not shield anyone from accountability.
The Dark Side of Online Trolling
In today's digital age, where outrage spreads rapidly, the internet has transformed into a battleground, making public servants and their families vulnerable to attacks.
Recently, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri found himself at the center of such a controversy—not due to a diplomatic error, but simply for fulfilling his duties. The real target was his daughter, a private citizen, who was viciously doxxed and labeled 'anti-national' for studying abroad. Her images were circulated as if they were evidence in a trial she never consented to.
This was not random trolling; it was a coordinated attack met with silence from the government, including Misri's own ministry.
The harassment continued when Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a newlywed naval officer, was killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam. His wife, Himanshi, displayed remarkable grace by urging against politicizing her husband's death, yet she too faced online vitriol—her sorrow overshadowed by political animosity.
Civil service organizations, including the Association of Diplomats and various IAS and IPS associations, along with prominent citizens, rallied in support of Misri and condemned the online harassment. Political figures like Akhilesh Yadav questioned whether the government's silence implied tacit approval. Even the Supreme Court characterized social media trolling as 'atrocious.'
This behavior is not free speech; it represents a public lynching of personal grief. If we cannot establish boundaries here, the question is not whether we have lost our moral compass, but whether we even desire to have one.
Conclusion
By Dilip Cherian