Now Reading: Centre tells SC CAPF Act does not override 2025 verdict
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Centre tells SC CAPF Act does not override 2025 verdict
The Centre has told the Supreme Court that the CAPFs (General Administration) Act, 2026, does not overrule its May 2025 judgment on IPS deputation. In a joint affidavit filed on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs, DoPT and CRPF said the law was a permissible measure that changed the legal basis of the court's directions and sought dismissal of a petition by CAPF cadre officers challenging the Act.
The petition, filed by officers led by CRPF Assistant Commandant Bibhor Kumar Singh, argues the law was enacted to overrule the 2025 judgment and is arbitrary. The Supreme Court had directed a progressive reduction of IPS postings up to inspector general rank in five forces. Under the new law, 50 per cent of IG posts and at least 67 per cent of additional DG posts are filled through deputation, while all special DG and DG posts are reserved for deputationists.
The Centre said IPS officers bring experience of state administrations and internal security, and that no employee has a right to insist on a particular cadre structure. It said a cadre review directed by the court is underway. The special bench is scheduled to hear the petitions on Thursday, 15 October 2026.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both outlets report the Centre's affidavit largely identically, attributing the same legal arguments to the government and the same grievances to the CAPF officers. India Today leads with the government's assertion that the Act does not overrule the court, while Hindustan Times adds that the Centre denies the law was meant to nullify the judgment. Hindustan Times also reports that retired CAPF officers have announced a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar in November 2025, a detail absent from India Today. The uniform coverage of the legal dispute leaves the next step as the scheduled hearing on 15 October 2026.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): indiatoday.in (neutral report), hindustantimes.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
