The Telangana High Court has stepped into a significant administrative dispute, issuing formal notices to the state government following a petition that challenges the appointment of senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to positions traditionally reserved for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
Court Seeks Government's Response on Cadre Rule Violation
Justice Surepalli Nanda of the Telangana High Court took up the petition on Monday, directing notices to the state's Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary of the General Administration Department (GAD). The court has given the government time to file its response and has scheduled the next hearing for December 10.
The petition, filed by lawyer and social activist Vadla Srikanth, argues that the appointment of IPS officers to principal secretary-level posts is a direct violation of established cadre rules. Srikanth has urged the court to declare these postings as "arbitrary, illegal, and a violation" of the Indian Administrative Service Cadre Rules, 1954, and its subsequent amendment regulations from 2016.
Key Postings Under Legal Scrutiny
The specific appointments under challenge are those of three senior IPS officers: C V Anand posted as Special Chief Secretary (Home Department), Shikha Goel as Principal Secretary for the General Administration Department (GAD), and Stephen Ravindra as Commissioner and Principal Secretary for the Civil Supplies Department.
The petitioner has also sought to quash specific sections of a Government Order (GO Rt No. 1342) dated September 26, 2025, which pertained to a broader administrative reshuffle and facilitated these transfers. Representing the petitioner, counsel Vijay Gopal requested the court to direct the Chief Secretary to remove the IPS officers from these posts and appoint eligible IAS officers instead.
Concerns Over Checks and Balances in Home Department
During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel raised a critical concern regarding the posting of an IPS officer as the head of the Home Department. Citing alleged past incidents of phone tapping in Telangana, Gopal argued that such an appointment compromises vital checks and balances within the system.
The counsel contended that when an IPS officer holds the position of Home Secretary, the official responsible for reviewing the work of other IPS officers becomes "one among them," potentially weakening independent oversight. This argument formed a core part of the plea seeking the suspension of the three officers from their current roles.
The court, however, deemed it appropriate to allow the government at least a week to present its side. When questioned by the judge on the rationale behind posting IPS officers to IAS positions, the Special Government Pleader for GAD, S Rahul Reddy, requested time to receive instructions from the government.
The outcome of this case, set for hearing on December 10, could have significant implications for administrative postings and the interpretation of cadre service rules in Telangana and potentially other states.
