Petitioner Ketan Tirodkar, a former journalist, mentioned the petition before the division bench headed by Justice S J Vajifdar today.
The petition contends that morale of the police force was down as the Commissioner's post was lying vacant since February 1 after Singh, who wanted to join the politics, took voluntary retirement.
Tirodkar has referred to media reports suggesting that that the appointment has got entangled in the feud between the ruling coalition partners Congress and NCP, both of which are trying to push their own candidates. "If such appointments are made for political considerations, then the people will have to pay a heavy price," the PIL says.
It also seeks a direction to the government to submit minutes of meetings held since January 31 to pick the new city police chief and furnish list of 'eligible candidates'.