The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered states and union territories not to appoint any police officer as acting director general of police.

Instead, states should send the names of senior police officers to the Union Public Service Commission to be considered for the post three months before the incumbent retires, Live Law reported. The commission will select three suitable officers and the state will appoint one of them, the Supreme Court said. Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said the state should ensure that the appointed police officer has a sufficient period of service left, PTI reported.

The court said its directives are in accordance with a 2006 judgement. It was hearing an interim plea filed by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, who had sought an urgent hearing, saying the directions issued in the 2006 verdict had not been implemented. Subsequently, the Centre filed a plea seeking modification of one of those directions.