Letika Saran reappointed TN DGP

Tamil Nadu government has reappointed Letika Saran as the state director general of police. This is the first time that state police chief has been appointed following the system of empanelment by UPSC as prescribed by the Supreme Court.

Saran's earlier appointment had been quashed by the Madras HC on the ground that the state had failed to follow SC guidelines according to which UPSC should shortlist three names from a panel of names sent by the state government.
After SC declined to stay HC order, the state government sent a set of names, including that of Letika Saran. Out of this, UPSC cleared three names. The government has now reappointed the 58-year-old Saran, a 1975 batch IPS officer.
The January 8, 2010 order of the government appointing Letika Saran as DGP and head of TN police was first challenged by R Nataraj, DGP and head of the state fire and rescue services. He had moved the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) which dismissed the plea. tnn