HC asks petitioner to justify plea against IPS officers holding IAS posts
HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court on Friday questioned the locus standi of a petitioner who challenged a state government order permitting Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to be posted in positions earmarked for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) cadre.
Justice E.V. Venugopal, hearing the writ petition, asked the petitioner to explain how he was personally aggrieved by G.O.Rt.No. 1342 issued by the General Administration (Special B) Department on September 26, 2025.
Court seeks clarification on personal stake
The Government Order authorises the posting of IPS cadre officers to positions reserved for IAS officers within the state administration.
The petitioner, Vadla Srikanth, an advocate and social activist residing in Tarnaka, Secunderabad, was asked to clarify his locus standi. The court directed his counsel to implead individuals directly affected by the impugned order.
The matter was adjourned to April 15, 2026, for further hearing.
Earlier notices issued to top officials
The writ petition was earlier heard by Justice Surepally Nanda on December 1, 2025. At that stage, notices were issued to the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary, General Administration Department, Government of Telangana, seeking their response.
As reported by NM, the petition challenges the legality of appointing IPS officers to posts traditionally held by IAS officers.
Petition cites violation of cadre rules
In his plea, Vadla Srikanth contended that posting IPS officers to IAS cadre posts violates the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954, read with the IAS (Fixation of Cadre Strength) Amendment Regulations, 2016.
The petition referred to three senior IPS officers currently holding posts usually occupied by IAS officers:
Stephen Ravindra, IPS, serving as Commissioner of Civil Supplies and ex officio Principal Secretary to the Government;
Shikha Goel, IPS, serving as Director General, Vigilance and Enforcement and ex officio Principal Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department;
C.V. Anand, IPS, serving as Special Chief Secretary to the Government, Home Department.
Reliefs sought by petitioner
The petitioner sought directions restraining the state government from appointing IPS officers to IAS cadre posts. He urged that such positions be filled exclusively by IAS officers in accordance with the statutory framework.
He also sought the removal of IPS officers currently holding those posts.
The case will next be heard on April 15, 2026.
