Maharashtra's DGP Rashmi Shukla has been reinstated after being abruptly placed on leave by the state government due to an election commission order. Shukla's temporary replacement, Sanjay Kumar Verma, will step down as she assumes her duties again on Tuesday. Shukla, who has connections to BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, faced allegations of acting as a political pawn in the state's power struggles.
Maharashtra's DGP Rashmi Shukla Reinstated After Election Commission Order
Background:
Rashmi Shukla, a 1988-batch IPS officer, has been at the center of a political storm in Maharashtra. In October 2020, she was abruptly placed on leave by the state government led by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
The move came after the Election Commission (EC) ordered the government to remove Shukla from her post as Director General of Police (DGP) for allegedly tapping phones of political leaders during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Reinstatement:
On Monday, February 14, 2022, the EC directed the Maharashtra government to reinstate Shukla as DGP with immediate effect. The EC found that the state government had failed to provide concrete evidence to support the allegations against her.
Sanjay Kumar Verma, who was appointed as the acting DGP after Shukla's suspension, will step down as she resumes her duties on Tuesday.
Allegations and Controversy:
Shukla has been accused of acting as a political pawn in the state's power struggles. She is said to have close connections with former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In October 2020, a report by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) alleged that Shukla had tapped the phones of several political leaders, including NCP president Sharad Pawar and then-Congress leader Milind Deora.
Shukla has denied the allegations and has claimed that she was being targeted because of her proximity to Fadnavis.
Top 5 FAQs:
Q: Why was Rashmi Shukla suspended?
A: Shukla was suspended on allegations of tapping phones of political leaders during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Q: Who reinstated Rashmi Shukla?
A: The Election Commission of India reinstated Rashmi Shukla as DGP.
Q: Who replaced Rashmi Shukla as acting DGP?
A: Sanjay Kumar Verma replaced Rashmi Shukla as acting DGP.
Q: Is Rashmi Shukla connected to any political party?
A: Shukla is said to have close connections with BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis.
Q: What is the controversy surrounding Rashmi Shukla?
A: Shukla is accused of acting as a political pawn in the state's power struggles.
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