Election Commission Orders Transfer of Maharashtra DGP Amid Allegations of Bias Flagged by Opposition

In the wake of the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, the Election Commission (EC) on Monday directed the immediate transfer of Maharashtra’s Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla, responding to complaints from the Congress and other opposition parties that accused her of partiality.

In a formal directive to Maharashtra's chief secretary, the EC mandated that Shukla's responsibilities be handed over to the next senior-most IPS officer without delay. The state government has been instructed to submit a panel of three IPS officers by November 5 at 1 p.m. for the appointment of a new DGP.

This move comes after a letter from Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, where he urged Shukla's removal. Patole highlighted the swift replacement of Jharkhand's DGP when the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was implemented, questioning why the same was not applied in Maharashtra.

In his letter, Patole expressed concerns about rising political violence against opposition parties, noting a deterioration in the law and order situation over the past month. He accused Shukla of exhibiting "clear bias" against opposition groups, including Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).

Further allegations suggest that Shukla instructed senior police officials to file false cases against opposition members and engaged in unauthorized phone tapping of political figures. Congress leaders assert that these actions have fostered an environment of intimidation, calling for increased oversight of law enforcement during the election period.​