In the latest developments, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), currently reviewing the proposal for the appointment of a new Director General of Police (DGP) for Maharashtra, has requested clarifications from the state government. The UPSC is questioning the urgency behind changing the current state police chief before the end of his term and has sought additional information.
The present DGP, Rajnish Seth, is set to retire on December 31, and the state government had selected him as the chairperson of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) in October. This move was reportedly made to create a vacancy for senior IPS officer Rashmi Shukla. Shukla had faced controversy over allegations of phone tapping of politicians during the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regime.
As part of the process, the state government submitted a proposal to the UPSC for the appointment of a new DGP. The UPSC, responsible for preparing a panel of three officers suitable for the DGP post, has sought clarifications on various aspects.
The list of officers being considered for empanelment includes names such as Rashmi Shukla, Sandeep Bishnoi (Police housing corporation chief), Vivek Phansalkar (Mumbai police commissioner), Pradnya Sarvade (Railway police DG), Jaijeet Singh (Thane police commissioner), Sadanand Date (ATS chief), Atulchandra Kulkarni (NIA additional director), and Bipin Kumar Singh (state security corporation DG).
Shukla, who is due to retire in June 2024, could potentially have a stipulated two-year term if appointed as the DGP. The state government, responding to the UPSC, clarified that a vacancy was created by appointing Seth in MPSC. The government also addressed charges against Shukla, stating that all cases are now closed, and she has received vigilance clearance.
The UPSC’s query comes at a time when Maharashtra is preparing for upcoming elections, increasing the significance of the state government’s decision regarding the new DGP appointment.
