In a significant development, Rashmi Shukla, the 1988-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, has been reappointed as the Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra, following the conclusion of the election code of conduct. Her reinstatement was formalised late on Monday by the state home department.
Shukla, who had previously been sent on leave by the Election Commission of India (EC) on November 4, returned to her position after the Mahayuti alliance’s victory in the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly elections. She was temporarily transferred from her post during the election period following allegations of bias against the opposition and accusations of illegal phone tapping.
The Election Commission’s move to transfer Shukla came after Congress raised concerns about her impartiality, citing a series of actions that suggested favoring the ruling party. One such incident was her reported meeting with Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, on the day of the vote counting, which Congress claimed violated the model code of conduct. The meeting, however, was described by Fadnavis's office as a "courtesy call" following the elections.
Shukla’s reappointment follows the completion of the election process and comes just days after the victory of Mahayuti, a coalition of parties in Maharashtra. The decision to bring Shukla back into office was made after a thorough review by the state government and the Election Commission, which had previously instructed the Chief Secretary to assign the DGP responsibilities to the next senior-most officer, IPS officer Sanjay Kumar Verma, during her absence.
Rashmi Shukla, who became the first woman to serve as the DGP of Maharashtra, is known for her strong leadership and extensive service in the State Intelligence Department (SID). She is often considered a trusted ally of Devendra Fadnavis, who has held the home portfolio in the state government.
Her tenure as the DGP has been marked by notable initiatives and a focus on state security. Despite the controversy surrounding her temporary transfer, Shukla’s reappointment reflects the government’s confidence in her leadership and her pivotal role in shaping Maharashtra’s law enforcement landscape.
