The Election Commission on Monday ordered the immediate transfer of Maharashtra police chief Rashmi Shukla and directed the chief secretary to hand over charge to the next senior-most officer. The poll body ordered the transfer reportedly after several political parties including Congress complained against the DGP.
Sources in the know of the development told PTI that the poll body directed the Maharashtra chief secretary to hand over Shukla's charge to the next senior-most IPS officer in the cadre. The chief secretary was also directed to send a panel of three IPS officers by Tuesday afternoon for appointment as DGP.
The Congress alleged that the state police chief had a “clear bias” against the opposition and accused her of tapping the phone calls of opposition leaders. In an earlier complaint sent to EC against Shukla, Congress charged the DGP directed several commissioners and police superintendents to register false cases against opposition leaders.
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Election to the 288-member assembly will be held on November 20. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had recently warned officials to not only be impartial and fair but also ensure that they are perceived as non-partisan while carrying out their duties, PTI reported.
The election commissioner had also advised Shukal to take stern action against politically motivated crimes in Maharashtra and expressed concern over the murder of veteran Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique allegedly by Lawrence Bishnoi gang.