Senior IPS officer Rashmi Shukla has been reinstated as Maharashtra’s Director General of Police (DGP), following the conclusion of the election code of conduct. The state home department formalized her reappointment late Monday, after she was sent on leave by the Election Commission earlier during the election period.
Shukla, who is the most senior IPS officer in the state, is set to take charge on Tuesday. She will replace Sanjay Kumar Verma, who served as the interim DGP during her absence. Verma will revert to his previous position as DG Legal and Technical.
Read More: Maharashtra: DGP Rashmi Shukla Removed Ahead of Elections; Senior IPS Officer to Take Charge
Shukla’s reinstatement has sparked controversy, particularly from opposition parties. Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe raised concerns about the timing of her meeting with Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on November 23, the same day as the election results were announced. Londhe questioned whether the meeting, held at Fadnavis’ official residence, breached the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
In response, Deputy CM Fadnavis clarified that the state government had submitted a list of senior officers to the Union Home Ministry, based on seniority. Shukla, who is set to retire in June 2024, is followed by 1989 batch officers Sandeep Bishnoi, MD of Maharashtra Police Housing and Welfare Corporation, and Vivek Phansalkar, Mumbai Police Commissioner. Bishnoi is set to retire in March 2024, while Phansalkar will retire in March 2025.
Rashmi Shukla first made headlines in 2022 when she was accused of illegal phone tapping of key political figures, including Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut and NCP’s Eknath Khadse, dating back to 2019. An FIR was registered against her, but the Bombay High Court quashed the case later that year. Prior to this controversy, Shukla was the head of Maharashtra’s Intelligence Department. She also held significant positions, including Pune Police Commissioner and Director of State Intelligence.
Apart from her law enforcement career, Shukla faced allegations of leaking a classified report regarding police corruption during her tenure as the Commissioner of the State Intelligence Department. She has denied these charges, asserting that her actions were in the interest of national security and public service.
Born on August 15, 1965, Shukla’s distinguished career includes receiving the prestigious President’s Medal in 2004 and 2013. She was also the second woman to serve as Mumbai’s Police Commissioner.
Her return to the post of DGP, however, has certainly sparked debates, especially regarding the timing and circumstances surrounding her reappointment.
