IPS Sanjay Verma takes charge as new Maharashtra DGP, says 'conducting free and fair elections is our duty'

IPS Sanjay Verma at the DGP office on Tuesday evening. Pic/Faizan Khan

IPS Sanjay Verma on Tuesday evening took charge as the Director General of Police, Maharashtra after being appointed as the new DGP following the removal of Rashmi Shukla by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and said, "conducting free and fair elections is our duty."

The poll body had earlier the Maharashtra government that they have to comply with their order by 5 pm on November 5.

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After assuming the DG's office in Mumbai, Verma said, "First of all, I would like to thank the Election Commission for giving me such a significant responsibility. Conducting free and fair elections is our duty. We will ensure everything is done impartially. The police must also work with complete neutrality so that no one can raise any questions."

IPS Sanjay Verma is a 1990-batch officer and was earlier serving as DG of law and Technical. He is set to retire in April 2028 and was topping the list of consideration for the Maharashtra DGP post.

Ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls, the Election Commission of India had on Monday ordered transfer of Maharashtra DGP Rashmi Shukla following complaints by political parties, including Congress. The poll body directed the Maharashtra chief secretary to hand over Shukla's charge to the next senior-most IPS officer in the cadre.

Acting on the complaints from INC and other parties, Election Commission of India orders transfer of DGP Rashmi Shukla with immediate effect with directions to Chief Secretary to hand over her charge to the next senior most IPS officer in the cadre.

Earlier on October 31, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, requesting the removal of Rashmi Shukla from her position.

In the letter, Patole accused DGP Shukla of displaying a "clear bias" against opposition parties in the state, including Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP(SP). He alleged that, in the past 20 days, Maharashtra has witnessed numerous incidents of political violence targeting opposition leaders, with cases reportedly escalating.