Gilbert and Sullivan said “the policeman’s lot is not a happy one”. To describe the plight of the first woman appointed as CBI additional director as unhappy would be an understatement. The wrangle over her appointment involves a fundamental principle of Centre-state relations. While the Centre is tapping the best talent in the country, states can argue that deputations will deprive them of efficient officers.
What complicates Archana Ramasundaram’s case is that the state had forwarded her name for Central deputation in October 2013, and, despite three reminders from the Centre, had not transferred her. It is an altogether different point that the Centre recently arrogated to itself the right to take on officers directly in extraordinary cases. It is in the power to bypass states that New Delhi can create friction in the area of promotions or deputation to the Centre, which does not apply to Archana’s case.
The SC stay on the officer transferring to the CBI has recognised the rights of states. The appointment had become even more problematic since the CVC recommended only one name, contrary to the established practice of ranking a few eligible officers, and the PM, on the CBI director’s prompting, refused to toe the line in okaying a Hobson’s choice. It appears the case of the suspended woman police officer will throw light on the convoluted ways of appointment of senior officers.
