Rashmi Shukla, 1988-batch IPS officer has been appointed as the Director General of Police, Maharashtra. She is the first woman police chief of the state. She took charge from Mumbai police commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, who was holding the additional charge after Rajnish Seth retired from the post on December 31, 2023.
Shukla is known for launching an innovative initiative – Buddy Cop – serving as police commissioner of Pune. The initiative was emulated across the state.
A bold and upright officer, Shukla has always been in limelight. She is very effective with in controlling crime and criminals.
Prior to this posting Shukla was on central deputation heading the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), is a border guarding force of India deployed along its borders with Nepal and Bhutan.
Phone tapping controversy
Rashmi Shukla was embroiled in a phone tapping controversy in which the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government had lodged three FIR against her accusing illegally tapping the phones of some opposition leaders when Devendra Fadnavis was chief minister of the state and Shukla headed the state intelligence department.
The Bombay High, however in September 2023 quashed two of the three FIRs registered against Rashmi Shukla in this connection. The third case was transferred to the CBI after the Eknath- Devendra Fadnavis government came to power in Maharashtra.
Later this case was closed after the court allowed the CBI's closure report paving the way for her return to the state.
Tenure of Rashmi Shukla
The tenure of Rashmi Shukla is likely to be for six months unless Maharashtra government decides to give her extension beyond her retirement in June 2024.
As per the Supreme Court direction the tenure of DGP is fixed for two years if appointed six months before retirement. But in Maharshtra, the Maharashtra Police Act provides for a two-year tenure only if the officer is not retiring.
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