Sanjay Kumar Verma Appointed as Maharashtra’s New DGP Ahead of Assembly Elections

In a strategic move ahead of Maharashtra’s upcoming assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) appointed Sanjay Kumar Verma, a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1990 batch, as the new Director General of Police (DGP) for Maharashtra. The decision came after widespread opposition from political parties over the continued tenure of Rashmi Shukla, the first woman DGP of the state, who faced accusations of political bias. Verma, who previously served as the Director General of Legal and Technical, took charge immediately and emphasized his commitment to impartial law enforcement throughout the election process.

Verma’s Appointment: A Response to Calls for Fairness

The ECI’s directive to replace Shukla with Verma was influenced by the mounting political pressure from opposition parties, particularly the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), over concerns regarding Shukla’s alleged favoritism towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Rashmi Shukla’s tenure as Maharashtra DGP faced scrutiny amid accusations of unauthorized phone tapping and bias in handling politically sensitive cases. Although two of the three FIRs filed against Shukla were later dismissed by the Bombay High Court, the allegations raised doubts about her impartiality in overseeing elections.

The state’s Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik submitted a panel of three IPS officers for consideration, including Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, Verma, and Ritesh Kumar. After reviewing the candidates, the ECI confirmed Verma’s appointment, placing him at the helm of the Maharashtra police force.

Sanjay Kumar Verma’s Background and Career

Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Verma is a seasoned IPS officer with a career spanning more than three decades. Before his recent appointment, Verma held key roles, including Inspector General of the Kolhapur range, where he notably led a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the 2015 murder of prominent Communist leader Govind Pansare. His role in sensitive investigations, coupled with his expertise in legal and technical aspects of policing, positioned him as a trusted and qualified candidate for the DGP post.

Verma holds a degree in mechanical engineering and brings a blend of technical acumen and field experience to his new role. As Maharashtra DGP, he will continue to serve until his retirement in April 2028.

Ensuring a Neutral Police Force

Upon assuming his new position, Verma expressed gratitude to the Election Commission and underscored his commitment to conducting free and fair elections. “Conducting free and fair elections is our duty. We will ensure everything is done impartially,” Verma said. “The police must also work with complete neutrality so that no one can raise any questions.”

Verma’s tenure as DGP will be especially significant given the heightened focus on impartiality during the electoral process. Political parties have raised concerns over the influence of certain state officials, prompting the ECI to emphasize the importance of unbiased law enforcement.

Rashmi Shukla’s Tenure and Allegations

Shukla’s appointment as Maharashtra’s first female DGP in 2022 was initially met with acclaim, yet her term became embroiled in controversy following allegations of unauthorized phone tapping of opposition politicians. Although the Bombay High Court dismissed two of the three FIRs filed against her, the controversy continued, with political leaders questioning her objectivity. Recently, allegations resurfaced regarding her favoritism towards the ruling BJP, leading Congress leaders like Nana Patole and Shiv Sena (UBT) member Sanjay Raut to appeal to the ECI for her transfer.

Shukla’s supporters argued that the allegations were politically motivated. However, the Election Commission’s decision to replace her, citing the importance of a level playing field, reflects its commitment to a transparent electoral environment.

Maharashtra’s Historical Precedents with Election-Period DGP Changes

The ECI’s intervention in appointing Sanjay Verma as the new DGP echoes a similar scenario in 2009 when then-DGP A.N. Roy was replaced by IPS officer S Chakravarthi during the election period due to concerns of political interference. The removal of Rashmi Shukla, though under unique circumstances, underscores the ECI’s stance on maintaining neutrality within law enforcement agencies during elections.

The ECI Chief Commissioner Rajiv Kumar recently called for non-partisan conduct within the police force, aiming to mitigate any politically motivated crimes. His warning to Maharashtra’s law enforcement officers highlighted the importance of public trust in the police’s commitment to safeguarding a fair election process.

What Lies Ahead for Maharashtra’s Police Leadership

Verma’s appointment, however, may not be permanent. Sources indicate that his continuance as DGP may hinge on the political outcome of the upcoming Maharashtra elections. According to reports, if the Mahayuti coalition government, aligned with the BJP, retains power, Shukla could potentially return to her post. Conversely, if the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition gains power, Verma may remain in his role as DGP.

Maharashtra’s police force now stands at a pivotal juncture under Verma’s leadership. His impartiality and adherence to the ECI’s directive to maintain a fair electoral process are set to shape the state’s law and order landscape in the coming months.