CJI consulted judges before clubbing CAPF deputation cases

The Supreme Court's decision to consolidate contempt petitions concerning the deputation of IPS officers to Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) with a separate batch of cases challenging a newly enacted deputation law was undertaken following consultations with judges involved, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday.

The consolidation, which drew attention from legal observers, was not an exercise of the Chief Justice of India's roster powers exercised without the knowledge or input of the judges concerned, the sources clarified. The Chief Justice had engaged with the relevant judges before taking the decision to club the cases together.

The move brings together multiple legal challenges related to the deputation framework, which governs how IPS officers are assigned to paramilitary forces. The new law establishing this framework has faced legal challenges on various grounds, while contempt petitions separately raised concerns about the deputation process.

By consolidating the cases, the Supreme Court seeks to address overlapping issues and ensure a comprehensive examination of the legal and procedural questions at stake. The clubbing of matters is expected to streamline proceedings and provide clarity on the constitutional validity and implementation of the deputation framework.