EC transfers Maharashtra DGP Rashmi Shukla ahead of elections amid bias and phone tapping allegations

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially ordered the transfer of Rashmi Shukla from her position as Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra, effective immediately. This decision, announced on November 4, 2024, comes in response to serious allegations made by the Congress party regarding Shukla's conduct and impartiality as the state approaches its assembly elections. The ECI directed the chief secretary of Maharashtra to hand over Shukla's responsibilities to the next senior-most Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in the state's cadre.

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole submitted formal complaints to the ECI, asserting that Shukla displayed a "clear bias" against opposition parties, specifically targeting the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) under the Shiv Sena (UBT). In letters dated September 24 and October 4, Patole accused Shukla of illegal phone tapping of opposition leaders during her tenure as the police commissioner in Pune, which he argued undermined the integrity of the police force. He requested her immediate removal based on these allegations and expressed concerns about escalating political violence against opposition members during her leadership.

The allegations against Shukla include claims that she directed police officers to file false cases against opposition leaders, which Patole argued contributed to a hostile environment for political opponents. He emphasized that the Maharashtra Congress had raised these issues through various channels, including oral representations and press conferences, and highlighted that the law and order situation had significantly deteriorated under Shukla’s tenure. The Congress party's communications to the ECI included references to past instances of political violence and claimed that Shukla's actions were part of a broader pattern of harassment against opposition parties.

Sanjay Raut, a leader from Shiv Sena (UBT), also publicly questioned Shukla's ability to conduct fair elections, citing the serious nature of the allegations against her. He noted that while the DGP of Jharkhand was transferred promptly after the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), Shukla's continued presence raised concerns about the impartiality of the election process in Maharashtra. Raut asserted that the election should not be influenced by police pressure or biased enforcement of the law.

The Election Commission has repeatedly emphasized the importance of neutrality among officials involved in the electoral process. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had warned officials to maintain a non-partisan demeanor while carrying out their duties, especially in the context of upcoming elections. This directive is aimed at preserving public confidence in the electoral process and ensuring that all political parties can compete fairly. Following the ECI’s directive, the chief secretary of Maharashtra has been instructed to submit a panel of three IPS officers by November 5, 2024, for the appointment of a new DGP.