'Can't be used to settle political scores': SC dismisses contempt plea on Jharkhand DGP appointment

New Delhi — The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed contempt petitions filed by Jharkhand’s Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi and others challenging the appointment of Anurag Gupta as the state’s Director General of Police.

A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai said contempt proceedings cannot be used to settle political scores and noted the dispute involved two officers and essentially concerned service matters. The court observed that the state government’s rules supported Gupta’s appointment.

The bench added that officers who lose posts or benefits have legal remedies and that public interest litigation is meant to help deprived and helpless sections of society, not to resolve personal disputes between rival officials.

Senior advocate Anjana Prakash, for the petitioners, argued the state had bypassed the required process by naming an ‘acting DGP’. The Jharkhand government, represented by Kapil Sibal, defended the appointment. The court said the issue is a service grievance to be pursued through appropriate legal channels, not contempt proceedings.

With inputs from IANS