The Maharashtra government on Thursday (04.01.2023) appointed Rashmi Shukla (IPS: 1988: MH) as the next Director General of Police (DGP), making her the first woman police officer to hold this prestigious position in the state.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar (IPS: 1989: MH) had been temporarily assigned the additional charge of DGP Maharashtra following the retirement of Rajnish Seth (IPS: 1988: MH) on December 31. Rashmi Shukla, prior to her current appointment, served as the Director General (DG) of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and had previously held the position of Additional Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Despite turning 60 in June, she is anticipated to serve a two-year term. Shukla brings an extensive career in the police service, having held crucial roles in Maharashtra, including Pune Police Commissioner and Director of the State Intelligence Wing. This appointment comes more than three months after the Bombay High Court quashed two phone-tapping cases against her.
Shukla faced charges in Mumbai for allegedly tapping the phones of Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut and NCP leader Eknath Khadse in the first FIR. In the second FIR in Pune, she was accused of tapping the phones of Congress leader Nana Patole. The Bombay High Court’s decision in her favor played a pivotal role in her elevation to the top police official position in Maharashtra.
She has also been accused of leaking a classified report exposing a nexus between some police officers and middlemen offering transfers and postings for money. Shukla, however, denies any wrongdoing, asserting that her actions were in the interest of national security and public service.
