The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has reinstated IPS officer GP Singh, overturning his suspension and retirement orders following directives from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) and subsequent legal proceedings.

Background of Suspension

GP Singh, a 1994-batch IPS officer, faced suspension on July 5, 2021, on allegations of disproportionate assets and sedition. An Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) raid at his official residence in Raipur, along with 15 other locations in Rajnandgaon and Odisha, uncovered ₹10 crore in unaccounted wealth and several sensitive documents.

Following the raid, FIRs were filed against him under corruption charges, and a sedition case was also registered. Singh was arrested on January 11, 2022, in Noida and subsequently granted bail in May 2022. On July 21, 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs recommended his compulsory retirement, citing service review committee findings, even though Singh had eight years of service remaining.

Legal Battle for Reinstatement

Challenging his retirement, GP Singh filed a petition with CAT, which, on April 10, 2024, overturned the ministry's retirement order. CAT directed the ministry to reinstate him and restore all service benefits. The ministry appealed against this decision in the Delhi High Court, but the court dismissed their plea on August 23, 2024.

Following the High Court’s ruling, the ministry filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court, which was rejected on December 10, 2024.

Reinstatement Order

In compliance with the Supreme Court’s decision, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued orders to reinstate GP Singh from July 20, 2023, nullifying the suspension and retirement directives. The order also directed the Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary to ensure appropriate actions are taken in accordance with the reinstatement.

Significance of the Decision

The reinstatement marks the culmination of a prolonged legal battle, highlighting the complexities of disciplinary actions against senior officials and the judiciary's role in safeguarding procedural fairness. GP Singh’s return to service also raises questions about transparency and accountability in addressing allegations against public officials.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has clarified that all benefits due to GP Singh will be restored as part of the reinstatement process. The officer is expected to resume his duties soon.