Sanjay Kumar Verma takes over as Maharashtra DGP

Verma succeeds Rashmi Shukla who has been removed from the post following criticism from Opposition parties.

Verma had earlier served as the Inspector General of Kolhapur range and as the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) with the MHADA for four years during the Devendra Fadnavis government. (Express)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday appointed Sanjay Kumar Verma, a 1990-batch IPS officer, who was serving as the Director General of Police (Legal and Technical wing), as the new police chief of Maharashtra, ahead of the Assembly elections.

Later in the day, Verma took charge as the DGP and said, “I would like to thank the Election Commission for giving me such a significant responsibility. Conducting free and fair elections is our duty. We will ensure everything is done impartially. The police must also work with complete neutrality so that no one can raise any questions.”

Verma, who was leading the list of candidates for the post of Director General of Police (DGP), is set to retire in April 2028. Verma succeeds Rashmi Shukla who has been sent on compulsory leave for a month, following criticism from the Opposition parties.

In his letter to the state chief secretary, S K Das, ECI Secretary, said, “…I am directed to convey that the Commission has considered the panel and approved the name of Shri Sanjay Kumar Verma, IPS (MH:1990) for posting as DGP Maharashtra.”

Verma, who hails from Uttar Pradesh and has done his graduation in mechanical engineering, had earlier served as the Inspector General of Kolhapur range and Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) with the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) for four years during the Devendra Fadnavis government.

After his promotion as DG, he was made the DG Legal and Technical. During his tenure as IG Kolhapur, he headed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the murder of veteran Communist leader Govind Pansare.

An officer said that Verma will be in charge till the elections. Later, the new government that comes to power will decide whether he would continue or Shukla would be brought back as DGP. Sources said that if the Mahayuti government comes to power, Shukla may be brought back while if the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government comes in, Verma may be asked to continue.

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The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) had written to the Election Commission demanding Shukla’s removal from the post as she was allegedly biased towards the BJP, hampering free and fair election process in the state. Recently, the EC had also pulled up Shukla and the state chief secretary for partial compliance of its orders to transfer certain officers ahead of the elections.

Mohamed Thaver

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. He tweets @thaver_mohamed ... Read More

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