Centre clarifies CAPF Act does not supersede Supreme Court's 2025 ruling on IPS deputation

The home ministry has moved to clarify its legal position regarding the intersection of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Act and the Supreme Court's 2025 verdict on IPS officer deputation requirements. In a counter affidavit filed before the court, a senior home ministry official stated that the CAPF legislation does not operate to supersede or circumvent the court's ruling on mandatory IPS deputation protocols.

The submission addresses concerns that the government was seeking to use existing statutory provisions to circumvent the Supreme Court's directions. The home ministry explicitly denied this characterization, asserting that the counter affidavit was not designed to challenge the court's authority or nullify its judgment. The clarification underscores the government's stated commitment to compliance with judicial determinations while maintaining that existing legislation requires proper interpretation and application.

The case touches on longstanding questions regarding the governance framework for central armed police forces and the role of IPS officers within these organizations. The Supreme Court's 2025 verdict established parameters for IPS officer deployment and deputation arrangements, prompting the government's submission to reconcile statutory provisions with the court's directive. The home ministry's position suggests the government views the court's ruling as establishing binding requirements within the existing legal framework rather than necessitating legislative amendment.

The matter remains before the Supreme Court, with the government's counter affidavit contributing to ongoing deliberations on the proper implementation of IPS deputation rules across central armed police formations.