Maharashtra DGP Rashmi Shukla Transferred By EC Ahead Of Key Assembly Election

The Election Commission on Monday dismissed Maharashtra's Director General of Police, Rashmi Shukla, just days after the Congress alleged the senior IPS officer exhibited "clear bias" against opposition parties.

The Congress, in a letter last month, also accused Ms. Shukla of unlawful "phone tapping."

The Election Commission instructed the state's chief secretary to transfer Ms. Shukla's responsibilities to the next most senior IPS officer in the Maharashtra cadre, according to ANI. Furthermore, the chief secretary was asked to submit a list of three IPS officers by Tuesday afternoon for consideration as the new DGP, PTI reported.

Last month, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole appealed to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar for Ms. Shukla's removal as the state's police chief.

In his letter, Mr. Patole alleged that Ms. Shukla displayed "clear bias" against opposition parties in Maharashtra, including the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP(SP).

"Kindly refer to our previous letters dated 24th September 2024 and 4th October 2024 concerning the removal of Rashmi Shukla from the post of Director General of Police, Maharashtra. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) reiterated this request during a briefing with the Election Commission of India (ECI) on 27th September 2024," the letter stated.

He claimed that Ms. Shukla faced allegations of unlawful phone tapping of opposition leaders while serving as Pune's police commissioner.

"This request has been repeatedly submitted through oral representations and press conferences. While the DGP of Jharkhand was removed immediately after the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was enforced, DGP Maharashtra was exempted. Over the past 20 days, political violence against opposition parties has significantly escalated, with a notable deterioration in the law and order situation. 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, Pune, and Commissioner of the State Intelligence Department (SID)," he wrote.

The Maharashtra Congress also claimed that Ms. Shukla directed police officers to file false cases against opposition figures.

"She has reportedly instructed various CPs and SPs to file false cases against opposition leaders. The Commission appears to be overlooking these actions and her dereliction of duty," the letter further stated.