Sanjay Kumar Verma Replaces Rashmi Shukla as New Maharashtra DGP Following ECI Directive

Sanjay Kumar Verma was appointed as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra on Tuesday, succeeding Rashmi Shukla, who was removed from the position following an Election Commission Directive. Verma, a 1990-batch IPS officer currently serving as the Director General of Legal and Technical, is likely to lead the state police until his retirement in April 2028.

The ECI's directive for Shukla's removal, issued on Monday, comes in the wake of complaints from opposition parties just ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections set for November 20. The Congress had previously approached the EC, urging Shukla’s transfer and alleging her involvement in phone tapping of opposition politicians. Notably, Shukla was Maharashtra's first woman DGP.

Following Shukla’s departure, Mumbai Commissioner of Police Vivek Phansalkar was temporarily assigned additional responsibilities as DGP. Verma is scheduled to officially take over from Phansalkar in the coming days.