Sanjay Verma becomes Maharashtra DGP in place of Rashmi Shukla

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Sanjay Verma , the new DGP of Maharashtra
Ahead of the assembly elections in Maharashtra the  Election Commission of India on Tuesday appointed Sanjay Kumar Verma as the Director General of Police of Maharashtra  state.   He has been made the police chief of Maharashtra in place of Rashmi Shukla while Rashmi Shukla has been sent on compulsory  leave.

Sanjay Kumar Verma  is a 1990 batch officer of Maharashtra cadre of Indian Police Service and was till now working as Director General of Legal and Technical Wing of Police in Maharashtra.

IPS Sanjay Verma , after taking charge as Maharashtra DGP, said, “I want to thank the Election Commission for giving me such an important responsibility. It is our duty to conduct free and fair elections. We will ensure that everything happens impartially. The police should also work with complete neutrality so that no one can raise any questions.”

Sanjay Verma’s name was at the top of the list of candidates for the post of Director General of Police (DGP). He is to retire in April 2028. At the same time, IPS Rashmi Shukla has been sent on compulsory leave for a month after criticism from opposition parties.

In his letter to the state Chief Secretary, Election Commission Secretary SK Das said, “…I am directed to inform that the Commission has considered the panel and approved the name of Sanjay Kumar Verma, IPS (Maharashtra: 1990) for appointment to the post of DGP of Maharashtra.”

Sanjay Kumar Verma, a resident of Uttar Pradesh and a graduate in mechanical engineering, had earlier served as the Inspector General  of Kolhapur range and Chief Vigilance Officer with  the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) for four years during the Devendra Fadnavis government.

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

An official said that Sanjay Verma will remain in charge of the state police  till the elections. Later, the new government coming to power will decide whether he will continue or Rashmi Shukla will be brought back as DGP.

Sources said if the Mahayuti government comes to power, Shukla may be brought back but in case   the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) forms the  government then, Verma may be asked to continue as DGP.  Rashmi Shukla has retired but she was given an extension so that she can remain the police chief.