But the question on why the state decided to seek permission from the Centre is unclear since it is empowered to create temporary posts for a maximum of two years without clearance from the Centre. The state had decided to create two temporary posts of DGPs to promote ADGPs K Padmakumar (IPS: 1989: KL) and S Aananthakrishnan (IPS: 1989: KL) to elevate them to the post of DGPs.

The decision was taken in the wake of state police chief Anil Kant, who was originally supposed to retire from the service on January 31 this year, got his tenure extended by one year and five months to give him a full two-year tenure as the state police chief as per SC’s verdict. Anil Kant retired on January 31 this year, S Aananthakrishnan would have been promoted to the rank of DGP and when vigilance director K Sudesh Kumar retires on October 31 this year, K Padmakumar would have been elevated to the rank of DGP. In many of the states, officers who have completed 30 years in service have been elevated to the post of DGPs.

Since the promotions of the two officers were getting delayed due to extended service to the state police chief, the government had decided to create two temporary posts of DGPs to accommodate the duo. The state had then written to the ministry of home affairs seeking permission for creation of the posts.