This is an archive article published on January 4, 2024
Rashmi Shukla appointed Maharashtra DGP
Rashmi Shukla takes over the reins from her 1988 batchmate Rajnish Seth, who retired on Sunday and became the the chairman of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission.
Though Shukla has been the front runner to take over the post since the then incumbent DGP Rajnish Seth was appointed as MPSC chief in October, the order to this effect was issued only on Thursday.
Seth, who retired on Sunday, took charge as the chairman of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) on Monday.
Sources in the government said that the process to appoint her as DGP was delayed due to administrative process.
Shukla was on central deputation heading Sashastra Seema Bal, before which she was additional director general of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
While in the state police, she had served as Pune police commissioner and headed the State Intelligence Department (SID) when the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government was in power.
After the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government came to power in the state in 2019, it viewed her as being close to the BJP government.
It transferred her from her post as state intelligence commissioner (SID) to Civil Defence, seen as a non-executive, in 2020.
During the MVA rule, three FIRs were registered alleging that calls of MVA leaders were being intercepted illegally and data from the State Intelligence Department (SID), which Shukla had headed, was leaked to then Opposition leader Fadnavis. Shukla was named as an accused in two of the three cases.
Since then, the Bombay High Court quashed two of the three FIRs – in Pune and Mumbai – registered against her. After the Eknath Shinde-Fadnavis government came to power in Maharashtra, the third case was transferred to the CBI.
Last year, this case was also closed after the court allowed the CBI’s closure report, paving the way for her return to the state.
Long seen as the frontrunner for the post of the DGP, Shukla, who retires in June 2024, was congratulated on X by BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar in October when the government had issued the transfer order of Seth to the MPSC. However, since Shukla’s appointment was not announced then, he eventually deleted the post.
While Shukla retires in June, she could get extensions if the government so desires. In the past, the state government has given multiple extensions lasting upto six months to state DGPs.
Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems.
Experience & Authority
Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field.
Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus.
Key Beats:
Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch.
Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force.
Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict.
Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations.
Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed.
Credentials & Trustworthiness
Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order.
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