Supreme Court allowed Manipur Govt. to appoint DGP from outside state cadre

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant passed the order on a plea filed by the state government citing past incidents of ethnic and civil unrest in the state. File. | Photo credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the Manipur government’s plea to appoint its Director General of Police (DGP) from outside the state cadre.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant passed the order on a plea filed by the state government citing past incidents of ethnic and civil unrest in the state.

The government said a “competent” senior officer was needed to lead the state police.

“The problems we are finding as a central government is that we are not able to find a person with this capability among the eligible candidates,” said Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

Incumbent Rajiv Singh, an IPS officer of the Tripura cadre, was appointed as Director General of Police, Manipur in June 2023 and his tenure ends on 31 May 2026.

“This petition was moved by the State of Manipur and in brief narrated the unprecedented ethnic and civil disturbances that took place in the State… In the peculiar facts and circumstances prevailing in the State, a prayer was made for the appointment of an out-of-cadre Director General of Police in Manipur. We find merit in the prayer. The application is allowed.” recorded in the order.

Published – 27 May 2026 21:55 IST