By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Gujarat: Julio Ribeiro, former Mumbai Police Commissioner has filed a petition in Gujarat High Court against IPS officer, PP Pandey’s appointment as in-charge Director General of Police (DGP), Gujarat.
Pandey, who was out on bail in the alleged fake encounter case of Ishrat Jahan, has been appointed as the in-charge Director General of Police (DGP) of Gujarat after the incumbent P C Thakur was transferred to Delhi on April 16, 2016.
The petition was filed by Rahul Sharma, a senior cop turned lawyer on the behalf of Ribero and will be heard on Wednesday, May 4 before the Chief Justice of Gujarat.
“It is ridiculous. How can a person, who is facing trial for four murders, be appointed to the top post, as the person facing trial has to be under suspension, according to the All India Services (Conduct) Rules,” top cop, Ribeiro was quoted as saying by news website Sabrang.
Pandey was re-inducted into service after he secured bail from CBI court in Ishrat Jahan case in February last year. Four days after his release on bail, Gujarat government revoked his suspension and reinstated him in service.
“Filed in the public interest, this legal action challenges the Government of Gujarat, Home Department, notification dated 15.04.2016 entrusting Shri P.P. Pandey, IPS (Gujarat: 1980), Director of the State Anti Corruption Bureau, with the additional charge of the post of DGP of Gujarat State. Such an additional charge is against the Doctrine of Public Trust, is against the law and the express guidelines of the Supreme Court. Moreover, it is likely to defeat the ends of justice and is against the public interest because P.P. Pandey is an accused committed for trial in a case of abduction and premeditated murder,” reads the report titled “Super cop Julio Ribeiro challenges Pandey’s appointment as DGP Gujarat” published on Sabrang.
The 1980 batch IPS officer, Prithvi Pal Pandey was arrested in Ishrat Jahan encounter case in July 2013. Pandey was the additional DGP.