On Tuesday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) endorsed the appointment of Sanjay Kumar Verma as the new Director General of Police (DGP) for Maharashtra.
Verma, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1990 batch, currently serves as the Director General of Law and Technical and is likely to hold the position until his retirement in April 2028.
Verma’s elevation to the top police position follows the abrupt removal of his predecessor, Rashmi Shukla, who wa appointed DGP in January.
Shukla’s tenure came under scrutiny as opposition parties accused her of political bias and misconduct, particularly during the lead-up to the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled for 20 November.
The state government had previously put forward a panel of three candidates for the DGP position, which included Verma, Sanjeevkumar Singhal, and Ritesh Kumar.
The ECI ultimately selected Verma to assume the role, indicating a shift in the police leadership amid escalating tensions in the political landscape.
The opposition, particularly the Congress party, had been vocal in their calls for Shukla’s removal, arguing that her continued presence in the role compromised the integrity of the electoral process.
They alleged that Shukla had acted on behalf of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by targeting opposition leaders, which they deemed detrimental to fair elections.
Nana Patole Calls For Dismissal Of DGP Shukla
Earlier last week, State Congress chief Nana Patole expressed his concerns, emphasizing that Shukla’s controversial history – including accusations of illegal phone tapping of opposition leaders during the previous BJP administration – undermined public confidence in the police force’s neutrality.
Patole noted that Congress had sent multiple letters to the ECI urging Shukla’s dismissal, but he felt that their pleas went unheeded.
Patole stated, “When the BJP requested the removal of the DGPs in West Bengal and Jharkhand, they were promptly replaced, but the Election Commission has not yet removed Maharashtra’s DGP.”
He questioned whether there is a different law for Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Maharashtra, emphasizing the need for consistency in the electoral process. He argued that to ensure a fair and transparent election, Shukla should removed immediately.
State Congress chief claimed, “Shukla has allegedly instructed Police Commissioners and district police officers to file cases against opposition leaders and harass them. The police machinery is reportedly obstructing opposition leaders and workers, pressuring and threatening them.”
Patole added that Rashmi Shukla has taken a controversial approach in the past, involving herself in the phone tapping of opposition leaders and facing cases registered against her.
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