Barely 3 months to DGP Rajnish Seth’s retirement, Eknath Shinde clears his name for post of MPSC chairman

The reason for the move, however, was not clear, considering that the 1988 batch officer was only three months away from retirement and could have taken over the post after retirement.

With Seth likely to move out, many in the administration saw his batchmate IPS officer Rashmi Shukla, currently heading the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on central deputation, as a likely replacement. Shukla retires from the force on June 30 but if she becomes the DGP, she can get a stipulated two-year term.

A source in the Chief Minister’s Office said, “From among a list of three names, the CM has approved the name of Seth. Once the Governor approves the choice, an order will be issued for Seth to be appointed as the MPSC chairman.”

MPSC Chairman Kishorraje Nimbalkar retired on Wednesday, leaving the position vacant. The process to appoint a new chairman had commenced and applications were invited.

Seth was supposed to be a front runner for the post after he was one of the three persons selected by a committee headed by Chief Secretary Manoj Saunik in August. According to the MPSC website, Dilip Pandharpatte is currently the acting chairman.

Seth was serving as the director general of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) before he was appointed as the DGP of Maharashtra in February 2022. The 1988 cadre IPS officer replaced Sanjay Pandey, who held the additional charge of the post since April 9, 2021.