Court scraps plea to remove Neeraj Kumar

The Delhi high court on Friday dismissed a plea challenging the appointment of Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar on the grounds of alleged abuse of power and rights violation.

The Delhi High Court on Friday accepted the Union home ministry’s clean chit to Delhi police commissioner Neeraj Kumar and dismissed a petition that challenged his appointment.

HT Image

The order is a huge relief for Kumar who had come under severe criticism following a spurt in crime against women in the capital, including two gang rapes. Demands for his sacking had been raised.

A bench headed by chief justice D Murugesan referred to the Sushilkumar Shinde-led ministry’s submission that it had accepted recommendations of the Delhi Lieutenant-Governor that Kumar’s annual confidential report records in his entire career were “outstanding”.

MG Devasahayam, a Chennai-based retired IAS officer, had in his PIL sought quashing Kumar’s appointment on the ground of rise in crimes and his facing several charges of misuse of power and human rights violations, which had come in way of his selection as CBI director earlier.

“ACR records of Kumar in his entire career are outstanding and, therefore, the recommendations of the lieutenant governor were accepted. He was also the senior-most officer,” the bench said.

“ASG has handed over the order of May 28, 2013, passed by the Union home ministry. The order is a speaking order rejecting the contentions of the petitioner,” it said.

The affidavit had been silent on the number of rapes.