New Delhi: The matter of making IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as Delhi Police Commissioner has reached the Supreme Court. The apex court will hear the petition filed in the case on August 5 by a bench of Chief Justice (CJI) NV Ramana and Justice Suryakant. According to advocate M L Sharma, who filed the petition, the making of Rakesh Asthana as Delhi police commissioner is a deliberate violation of another Supreme Court verdict. He has also demanded a criminal contempt case against the PM and the Home Minister.

The petitioner cited the apex court's verdict in the Prakash Singh vs. Government of India case in 2018 that officers who have six months or less left in retirement cannot be appointed as police chiefs. Former CBI officer Rakesh Asthana was appointed Delhi police commissioner by the central government three days before his retirement. The Home Ministry had issued an order saying that Asthana's tenure of police service was being extended by 1 year keeping in view the "public interest", and he was made commissioner of Delhi Police for a year.

Two months ago, Rakesh Asthana's name was not approved due to less than six months left in retirement during the appointment of the CBI director. The petitioner counsel said the PM and home minister have acted contrary to the constitutional system in the case. The petition also said that the Constitutional Court should decide whether these two persons have the right to hold constitutional positions morally and legally.

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