EC Transfers Maharashtra DGP Amid Allegations of Bias Before Assembly Polls

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 4th Nov. Two weeks ahead of Maharashtra’s Assembly elections, the Election Commission has ordered the transfer of the state’s Director General of Police (DGP), Rashmi Shukla, amidst allegations of bias towards the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Sources indicate that the Commission’s decision follows claims from the Opposition, particularly the Congress, asserting that Shukla’s presence in her current role could compromise the fairness of the electoral process.

The poll body directed Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik to immediately transfer Ms. Shukla’s responsibilities to the next seniormost IPS officer and to submit a panel of three names by tomorrow for the appointment of a new state police chief.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had previously emphasized the importance of impartiality and non-partisanship during election-related meetings, urging officials to conduct their duties in a manner perceived as fair. Opposition parties, including Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), have consistently accused Ms. Shukla of exhibiting bias.

Sanjay Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP and leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), voiced strong allegations against Ms. Shukla, stating, “There are very serious allegations against the state’s Director General of Police. In 2019, during the formation of our government, she was directly working for the Bharatiya Janata Party, tapping all our phones and providing information to Devendra Fadnavis about our plans.”

Raut questioned the possibility of conducting fair elections under her leadership, adding, “We have expressed concerns that the reins of elections should not be handed to her. While the Election Commission claims it does not have the authority to transfer her, we question how this is permissible, especially when Jharkhand’s DGP was replaced.”

State Congress chief Nana Patole has also called for Ms. Shukla’s removal, writing to the Chief Election Commissioner to express concerns over her “clear bias” against opposition parties. In his letter, Patole noted a surge in political violence against opposition factions over the past few weeks, suggesting a deteriorating law and order situation under Shukla’s oversight.

“She has shown a clear bias against the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP(SP), as evidenced by her previous record of illegal phone tapping of opposition leaders while serving as Commissioner of Police in Pune and at the State Intelligence Department,” he stated.

Vijay Wadettiwar, the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, welcomed the decision to transfer Shukla, stating that it revealed the coalition government’s dishonesty. “What was the compulsion of the alliance government to extend the term of a police officer facing serious charges? This extension aimed to ensure that the assembly elections in Maharashtra are not conducted transparently,” he said in a post on X.

Rashmi Shukla, an IPS officer of the 1988 batch, is noted for being the first woman to serve as Maharashtra’s police chief, having previously held the position of Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal.

Maharashtra’s 288 Assembly seats are scheduled to vote on November 20, with the counting of votes taking place on November 23.