A division bench of the Uttarakhand High Court, led by Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Subhash Upadhyay, heard a petition filed by IPS officers Neeru Garg (2005 batch) and Arun Mohan Joshi (2006 batch) of the Uttarakhand cadre. The officers had contested the Centre’s deputation order, claiming it violated the rules set by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

During the proceedings, the court directed the officers to take their case to the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). Representing the Centre, the government argued that the officers are central government employees posted to the state and can be recalled for deputation at any time. It added that any grievances regarding such decisions should be addressed through the CAT.

Notably, both IG-rank officers had approached the High Court directly to challenge the order assigning them deputation as DIGs, without first seeking relief from the CAT. The bench has now instructed them to follow the proper channel. Their decision to move the High Court directly has sparked discussion within bureaucratic and government circles in the state.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday completed the long-pending distribution of portfolios among ministers after the recent cabinet expansion. Following the induction of five new ministers, he has retained control over several key and sensitive departments. As per the official allocation, the Chief Minister will continue to manage 18 important departments, including General Administration, Home, Personnel, Vigilance, Finance, Appointment and Training, and Information & Public Relations—areas considered central to governance, administrative control, and law and order.