Telangana High Court Questions IPS Officers' Appointments to IAS Positions: Legal Challenge and Administrative Implications

Hyderabad:

The Telangana High Court has demanded an explanation from the state government regarding the appointment of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to administrative positions traditionally reserved for Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers.

On Monday, Justice Surepally Nanda instructed the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of the General Administration Department to submit counter-affidavits by December 10, explaining the legal basis for these controversial postings.

This judicial intervention stems from a writ petition filed by Hyderabad lawyer and social activist Vadla Srikanth. The petitioner's attorney, Vijay Gopal, argued that the government's actions, particularly through GO 1342 issued on September 26, contradict federal regulations that clearly distinguish the roles of these two prestigious All India Services.

The petition specifically challenges the appointments of three prominent IPS officers to positions traditionally occupied by IAS officials:

Stephen Ravindra, an IPS officer, currently serves as Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Ex-Officio Principal Secretary to the government.

Shikha Goel, also from the IPS cadre, holds the position of Director General, Vigilance and Enforcement, with additional responsibilities as ex-officio Principal Secretary in the General Administration Department.

CV Anand, a senior IPS officer who previously served as Hyderabad Commissioner, has been appointed as Special Chief Secretary in the Home Department.

Advocate Vijay Gopal contended that these cross-cadre appointments violate established statutory frameworks, including the IAS (Fixation of Cadre Strength) Regulations of 2016.

"Principal Secretary positions are designated for IAS officers, whose administrative duties include reviewing decisions made by IPS officials," Gopal explained. "Placing an IPS officer in a review capacity eliminates the necessary neutral oversight, as IAS and IPS officers receive fundamentally different training for their distinct executive and supervisory responsibilities."

He further illustrated the practical implications by referencing the recent Telangana phone tapping case, emphasizing that administrative leadership requires neutrality separate from police chain of command.

The practice of appointing IPS officers to Principal Secretary positions reportedly began in 2014 under the previous BRS-led administration.

Representing the state government, special government pleader Rahul Reddy from the Additional Advocate General's office requested additional time to prepare a comprehensive response.

Justice Nanda granted this extension and adjourned proceedings. The Telangana government must now provide its justification for these appointments before the next hearing scheduled for December 10.