Mumbai: Former Maharashtra acting Director General of Police (DGP) Sanjay Pandey (IPS:1986:MH) is embroiled in a fresh political-legal controversy after a special investigation report alleged that he conspired to falsely implicate Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the 2016 Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) scam.
The report, submitted by outgoing Maharashtra DGP Rashmi Shukla, claims that Pandey misused his authority during the ULC reinvestigation in 2021 while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was in power.
Allegations Against Mr Pandey
According to the special investigation report:
- Pandey allegedly instructed senior Thane police officers to name Fadnavis and Shinde in the reinvestigation.
- The move was described as a politically motivated conspiracy, as both leaders were not charge-sheeted in the original 2016 case.
The reinvestigation was conducted while Devendra Fadnavis was Leader of Opposition and Eknath Shinde was Urban Development Minister in the Uddhav Thackeray government.
ULC Scam Background
The Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) scam came to light in 2016, involving alleged fraudulent acquisition of urban land at undervalued rates, resulting in losses exceeding ₹160 crore to the state exchequer.
- Key accused included builders like Shyamsunder Agarwal.
- Allegations extended to officials of the town planning department.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was later formed to probe corruption allegations against then Thane Police Commissioner Parambir Singh.
The reinvestigation allegedly orchestrated by Pandey reportedly attempted to drag politically prominent leaders into the case.
About Ex-IPS Sanjay Pandey
Mr Pandey, born around 1962 in UP, is a 1986-batch IPS officer of the Maharashtra cadre and an alumnus of IIT Kanpur, where he completed his B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering (1979–1983), followed by a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government (1998–1999).
Known for his tough policing style, he gained recognition for maintaining peace in Dharavi during the 1992–93 Mumbai riots and handling high-profile cases like the “cobbler scam.” Mr Pandey resigned in 2000, worked in the private sector as Global Head of Cyber Security at Tata Consultancy Services, and founded iSec Services Private Limited in 2003, before rejoining the police in 2011. Rising through the ranks, he served as acting DGP of Maharashtra in 2021 and as Mumbai Police Commissioner in 2022 until his retirement in June 2022.
Post-retirement, he joined the Congress party in 2024 and expressed intent to contest elections. Pandey has been involved in several controversies, including his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the NSE phone-tapping and money-laundering case, for which he spent around five months in judicial custody. Recently, a special investigation report by outgoing DGP Rashmi Shukla has accused him of attempting to falsely implicate Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde in the 2016 Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) scam, sparking fresh political and legal scrutiny.
Sanjay Pandey’s career has been marked by high-profile postings and controversies:
- DGP Maharashtra & Mumbai Police Commissioner: Appointed acting DGP in April 2021, later removed in February 2022. Retired in June 2022.
- Earlier Arrests: In 2022, Pandey was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the NSE phone tapping and money laundering case, spending five months in judicial custody.
Political Career: Joined the Congress Party in 2024 with plans to contest Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Rashmi Shukla’s Report
Rashmi Shukla, Maharashtra’s first woman DGP (2024–2026), previously headed the State Intelligence Department, Pune Police, and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Her report has now positioned Pandey at the center of a fresh political and legal storm, prompting the state government to consider further action based on its findings.
Read also: Ex-DGP Rashmi Shukla Recommended FIR Against Sanjay Pandey in 2016 Case
