Roy to continue as DGP till November 26

Mumbai, Nov 24 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today again allowed Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) A N Roy to continue in the office till November 26.

Arguing before a division bench, comprising Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice S A Bobde, senior advocate Iqbal Chagla, appearing on behalf of Roy, denied the allegations made by Director General of Home Guards and Civil Defence S Chakravarthy that Mr Roy's appointment was inappropriate and contended that Mr Roy was appointed in accordance with the law and on merit basis.

He said Mr Roy, in his career spanning 35 years, did not have any godfathers, political or otherwise.

Mr Roy's appointment as DGP had came under cloud, when Mr Chakravarthy had moved the Central Administrative Tribunal, challenging the state's decision to appoint Mr Roy against three other officials, including Mr Chakravarthy, who were senior to him.

Upholding Mr Chakravarthy's contentions, the CAT on October 8 had set aside Mr Roy's appointment as ''illegal'' and observed that the state was bound to consider the three other contenders.

Soon afterwards, the CAT order was challenged in the Bombay High Court by Mr Roy and the government.

UNI AAA SR RSA RN2205