Maharashtra Police Chief Transferred Amid Allegations of Bias by Opposition
In a significant move ahead of Maharashtra’s Assembly elections, the Election Commission has ordered the transfer of Maharashtra’s Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla.
The decision, taken just two weeks before polling begins, follows allegations from opposition parties, led by the Congress, accusing Ms. Shukla of favoring the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Concerns had been raised about the integrity of the election process if Shukla retained her position.
Election Commission Steps In to Ensure Fair Polls
The Election Commission has directed Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik to assign Ms. Shukla’s responsibilities to the next senior-most IPS officer until a permanent replacement is appointed. Saunik is expected to present a shortlist of three candidates by tomorrow to facilitate the appointment of a new state police chief.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar emphasized impartiality in his recent election-related meetings, urging officials to conduct their duties in a way that would be “perceived as non-partisan.” The opposition, comprising Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), has expressed concern over Shukla’s alleged affiliations with the ruling party and her history, which they claim undermines fair policing during the election period.
Opposition Welcomes Move Amid Surveillance Allegations
“There is a very serious allegation against the state’s Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla,” said Sanjay Raut, Rajya Sabha MP and leader of Shiv Sena (UBT). “In 2019, when our government was being formed, this Director General of Police, who was directly working for the Bharatiya Janata Party, was tapping all our phones and giving full information to Devendra Fadnavis.”
State Congress President Nana Patole also voiced similar concerns, addressing a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner. In his letter, Patole asserted that Ms. Shukla displayed a “clear bias” against opposition parties. He alleged that political violence targeting opposition members had escalated over the past few weeks and that law and order had deteriorated as a result. Patole further claimed that Shukla’s previous roles as Commissioner of Police, Pune, and head of the State Intelligence Department had been marked by incidents of illegal surveillance on opposition leaders.
Vijay Wadettiwar, Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, welcomed the move, describing it as essential to ensuring transparency in the election process. “The coalition government was being dishonest. What was the compulsion to extend the term of an officer facing such serious charges?” Wadettiwar posted on social media.
With Shukla’s transfer, the Election Commission aims to address the opposition’s concerns and reinforce its commitment to ensuring fair elections in Maharashtra.
