Maharashtra DGP Rashmi Shukla Transferred After Phone-Tapping Complaints From MVA – News18

Last Updated:November 04, 2024, 12:31 IST

The Opposition had raised questions about fair elections under Rashmi Shukla’s watch due to serious allegations against her.

Acting on the complaints from Congress and other parties regarding phone tapping allegations on the Opposition leaders, the Election Commission of India ordered the transfer of Rashmi Shukla, DGP Maharashtra.

The ECI has ordered the Chief Secretary to hand over her charge to the next senior most IPS officer in the cadre, according to sources.

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, they added.

CEC Rajiv Kumar had earlier during the review meetings and announcement of assembly elections in the state had warned officials to not only be impartial and fair but also perceived to be non-partisan in their conduct while carrying out their duties.

Opposition’s charge against Rashmi Shukla

Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had said there are very serious allegations against the state’s Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla. “Can we expect her to conduct fair elections? We have said that the reins of elections should not be given to her, and then the Election Commission said that they do not have the right (to transfer). How can this happen? At the same time, Jharkhand’s DGP was changed…Maharashtra’s election is being conducted based on police pressure,” he said.

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole had written to the ECI last month over the allegations urging her immediate removal.

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.

The Congress had written letters on September 24 and October 4 seeking Shukla’s removal and a party delegation had reiterated the demand when ECI officials visited Mumbai on September 27, Patole said.

“Shukla has allegedly instructed police commissioners and district police officers to file cases against opposition leaders and harass them. The police machinery is reportedly obstructing opposition leaders and workers, pressuring and threatening them. Rashmi Shukla’s approach has been controversial in the past, as she was involved in the phone tapping of opposition leaders and has had cases registered against her,” he said in the letter.

“After the BJP came to power, Shukla was appointed to the DGP post, and even after her retirement, her tenure was extended irregularly. For a transparent and fearless election atmosphere, it is essential to remove controversial DGP Rashmi Shukla, who allegedly assists the ruling party. The Election Commission should take immediate action to remove her,” Patole added.

Vijay Wadettiwar slams Mahayuti government

Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar hailed the ECI’s decision and concluded that the government did not want the polls to take place transparently.

“The Election Commission has decided today to transfer the Director General of Police, Rashmi Shukla. We welcome this decision. It has become clear today that the Mahayuti government was acting dishonestly. What compulsion did the Mahayuti government have to grant an extension to a police officer like Rashmi Shukla, who faces serious allegations?” he tweeted.

“The government had granted her an extension to ensure that the assembly elections in Maharashtra did not take place transparently. It is now evident that the unconstitutional government appointed officers through unconstitutional means. The Mahayuti government misused its power by granting extensions to favored officers,” Wadettiwar alleged.