DGP Rashmi Shukla: EC transfers Maharashtra DGP Rashmi Shukla after Congress alleged ‘bias’ against opposition | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Monday transferred DGP Maharashtra Rashmi Shukla following Congress‘ complaint accusing the top cop of being “biased” against the opposition in the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
The poll body directed the chief secretary to hand over Shukla’s charge to next senior most IPS officer in the cadre. The chief secretary was also directed to send a panel of the three IPS officers by Tuesday for the appointment as DGP.
This comes days after Congress wrote to EC seeking removal of the Director General of Police over alleged “bias” against the opposition in the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
“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,” Congress state president Nana Patole said in the letter.
Following the decision, Patole shot another letter to the poll body demanding to ensure that Shukla is not appointed to any other position until the assembly elections are concluded.
“I hereby express my sincere appreciation to the Election Commission of India for promptly considering and acting upon the request to remove DGP Rashmi Shukla from her position. This decision demonstrates your commitment to upholding transparency and fairness in the electoral process,” reads the letter
“In light of the above, I respectfully request the Election Commission to ensure that DGP Rashmi Shukla is not appointed to any other position, thereby adhering to the legal framework and reinforcing public trust in the institution,” it added.
The Maharashtra Congress had also accused DGP Shukla of directing various Commissioners of Police and Superintendents of Police to file “false cases” against opposition leaders.
Earlier during the review meetings and announcement of assembly elections in the state , chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar 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.