New Delhi (05.01.2022): Centre has told the Supreme Court that there was a compelling need to have someone like Rakesh Asthana as the head of the Delhi Police in view of the national capital’s extremely challenging situations of public order, policing issues and their implications on national security.

In an affidavit, in response to petitions challenging Asthana’s appointment on July 27 last year, the Centre said that the 1984 batch IPS officer was appointed to provide effective policing on the recent law and order situation which arose in Delhi and that he was given both inter-cadre deputation as well as extension in service in the public interest. In the affidavit, the central government has sought quashing of the plea challenging the order granting inter- cader deputation and extension of service to Rakesh Asthana. Asthana was serving as the Director-General of Border Security Force when he was appointed as the Delhi Police Commissioner on July 27, 2021, four days before his superannuation on July 31.

In an affidavit last year, the Centre had said that Asthana’s appointment and the extension of his service tenure were done in public interest keeping in mind the diverse law and order challenges faced by the national capital, which have national security implications and cross border implications.