The ACC decision (dated 27 April) on the appointment of S K Bhagat (IPS:1982:UD) has landed into a tough time facing litigation filed by the RPF Association in Delhi High Court. RPF cadre has urged the court that appointing an IPS officers (outsider) as RPF chief demoralises the RPF cadre. The court decision is expected on May 19 but it has triggered a larger debate on the issues. IPS cadre officers too have set of reasons justifying the appointment of Bhagat as DG, RPF. The IPS Association is of the view that appointment of an IPS officer as DG, RPF, is required for practical reasons and it has nothing to do with the morale of RPF cadre or inter-service rivalry. It is pointed out that the IPS is an All India Service and its officers have vast exposure to various kind of issues. Further, when it comes to coordination with multiple security & intelligence agencies like IB, State CIDs, State Police Chiefs, NSG, CISF, CRPF, RAW and district & state administration across states, IPS officers believe that they certainly have an edge over RPF cadre. They cite the example of Chief Security officers of PSUs of strategic importance where IPS officers are increasingly being preferred for above cited reasons. For example, in Naxal-hit states, the Railways would require officers who is equipped to deal with the problem; a RPF officer may not be suitable from this viewpoint. As reported by Indianmandarins in the recent past, the issue has arisen because the RPF association has filed a writ petition in Delhi HC challenging the appointment of outsiders as DG RPF in view of the amendment to the RPF Act and the rules made there-under.   Finally suspence is over, Bhagat is new DG, RPF http://www.indianmandarins.com/finally-suspence-is-over-bhagat-is-new-dg-rpf/   HC stays new RPF DG's appointment http://www.indianmandarins.com/hc-stays-new-rpf-dgs-appointment/