Acting on the complaints from Congress, Shiv Sena (Thackeray) and other parties, the Election Commission of India ordered the transfer of Rashmi Shukla, DGP Maharashtra with immediate effect. The poll body directed to Chief the Secretary to hand over her charge to the next senior most IPS officer in the cadre.
The Chief Secretary has also been directed to send a panel of three IPS officers by 05.11.2024 (1 pm ) for appointment as DGP Maharashtra.
During a recent review meeting, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar had expressed concern over politically motivated crimes in Maharashtra and asked DGP Shukla to ensure a strict clampdown on such incidents. The recent killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique led to a political furore. He was shot dead by three gunmen in Bandra East on October 12.
A 1988-batch IPS officer, Shukla has over the past five years seen more twists and turns than most officers do in their entire career. Seen as Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ s blue-eyed officer, she served as the commissioner of the State Intelligence Department (SID), a post seen as reserved for officers considered close to those in power.
NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) spokesperson Vidya Chavan termed Shukla’s appointment violative of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) norms. “IPS officers who have over six months of service left are considered for the DGP’s post. However, Shukla will retire in five months and her appointment is bad by law,” Chavan said.
Her removal comes days after Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Thursday asked the Election Commission of India to remove Director General of Police Shukla.
In his letter to the ECI, Patole alleged Shukla was a controversial officer who had sided with the BJP, and her continuing in office would raise doubts about holding polls fairly and in a transparent manner.
Patole said the ECI had ignored the Congress’ request to remove Shukla but had accepted similar requests from the BJP to remove the top cops of opposition-ruled West Bengal and poll-bound Jharkhand.