Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole has called for the immediate removal of IPS officer Rashmi Shukla from her position as Director General of Police (DGP). Patole claims that Shukla’s recent extension, despite facing serious allegations, benefits the ruling BJP and casts doubts over the fairness of the upcoming assembly elections.
On September 24, Patole wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner of India, demanding Shukla’s dismissal, but with no action taken so far, he has now sent a formal reminder. He argues that extending Shukla’s tenure after retirement violates the Maharashtra Police Act and sets a dangerous precedent by bypassing established procedures for appointing senior police officers.
The state government justified the extension by citing the Supreme Court’s Prakash Singh judgment, which relates to the tenure of police chiefs. However, Patole asserts that the ruling has been misinterpreted to suit political interests, and the extension raises concerns over the transparency of the election process.
Patole has further alleged that the extension of Rashmi Shukla’s tenure as DGP is politically motivated and lacks transparency, coming at a critical time just before the Assembly elections. He believes that this decision undermines public trust in the impartiality of the government, raising suspicions about potential electoral manipulation.
The Congress leader emphasized that Shukla’s continued presence in such a key position, despite the controversies surrounding her, creates doubts over the administration’s fairness. By sidestepping legal norms and bypassing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) criteria for senior police appointments, the state government’s move could encourage similar politically driven decisions in other states, he warned.
Nana Patole reiterated his demand for the Election Commission to take swift and decisive action to restore confidence in the electoral process by removing Rashmi Shukla from her post as Director General of Police before the elections.
Nana Patole also pointed out that Rashmi Shukla’s track record, including accusations of phone tapping and other misconduct, has raised serious concerns about her credibility. According to Patole, her close ties with the ruling BJP cast further doubts on her impartiality in such a critical role. Allowing her to continue in office during the Assembly elections could lead to potential misuse of power and resources, influencing the outcome in favor of the ruling party.
In his reminder to the Election Commission, Patole stressed that maintaining a fair and transparent election process is crucial for upholding democratic principles. He urged the Commission to act promptly, stating that the integrity of the elections is at stake, and any further delay in addressing the issue may erode public confidence.
The Congress party’s memorandum has also raised questions about the haste with which Rashmi Shukla’s extension was approved, suggesting that it lacked proper scrutiny and consultation with relevant authorities. Patole called for a thorough review of the decision-making process and demanded that such politically influenced appointments should not be allowed to undermine the independence of key institutions, especially during election periods.
In conclusion, Patole reasserted that the removal of Rashmi Shukla is necessary not just for legal compliance but to ensure that the upcoming elections in Maharashtra are free, fair, and transparent. He urged the Election Commission to intervene swiftly and restore public trust by taking concrete steps to prevent any possibility of bias in the administration.
