The Election Commission has transferred Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla following complaints from the Congress and NCP (SP) amid the Maharashtra polls controversy. Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik has been tasked with submitting a panel of three senior-most IPS officers for consideration for the DGP post. Shukla, who previously served as Commissioner of State Intelligence Department, faced controversy during her tenure, resulting in three FIRs. She then served on central deputation as Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal.
Various parties had raised objections during Shukla’s initial appointment, which was granted by the BJP-Sena government for a two-year term. The Election Commission had previously directed then-DGP Anami Roy to recuse himself from election matters in a similar precedent. Expressing concerns over politically motivated crimes in Maharashtra, the Election Commission instructed Shukla to implement stricter measures to ensure electoral integrity and fair competition.
Shukla, a 1988-batch IPS officer, faced legal challenges during her time as Intelligence Commissioner of Maharashtra, including allegations of phone tapping. Despite facing pressure from the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government, she received a two-year extension and was transferred to CRPF as Additional DG. Legal challenges against her began in 2021, with cases related to leaked reports and phone tapping.
In February 2022, Pune police charged Shukla with phone tapping of state government leaders while serving as Pune City Police commissioner. Although a closure report was filed in December 2022, the court rejected it, citing sufficient evidence. Additional FIRs were registered, and a chargesheet was filed in April 2023, with prosecution pending due to lack of sanction.
On Monday, a metropolitan magistrate court concluded one of the contentious cases involving Shukla, related to the disclosure of her confidential report on irregularities in police transfers. The transfer of her predecessor, Rajnish Seth, to the chairmanship of Maharashtra Public Service Commission before his scheduled retirement in December 2023 facilitated Shukla’s appointment as DGP. Despite the controversies surrounding her, Shukla’s tenure has been marked by legal challenges and allegations of politically motivated actions.
The Election Commission’s decision to transfer Shukla amidst the Maharashtra polls controversy underscores the importance of maintaining electoral integrity and fair competition. As the state prepares for upcoming elections, the appointment of a new DGP will be crucial in ensuring the security and transparency of the electoral process. The transfer of power from Shukla to a new senior IPS officer will be closely monitored, given the ongoing legal challenges and controversies surrounding the former DGP.
