Mumbai: After the Election Commission (EC) removed IPS officer Rashmi Shukla from her position as Maharashtra’s Director General of Police (DGP), her fate now lies in the hands of the new government, unless the EC grants her another posting before the code of conduct ends. The polling for the Maharashtra assembly will be held on November, 20 and results will be declared three days after that.

Ahead of the state elections, the EC removed Shukla on Monday following a complaint from Congress. IPS officer Sanjay Verma was appointed as new Maharashtra DGP on Tuesday, however, Shukla remains without any post as of today.

Will Shukla Be Reappointed

IPS Shukla was appointed as Maharashtra DGP for two years by the state government. Quoting the sources in Mantralaya, Loksatta reported that after Shukla’s removal by EC ahead of polls, the decision of IPS Shukla’s new appointment will be taken by the new government itself. The report also added that Sanjay Verma has been appointed as DGP till until the code of conduct expires and if the Mahayuti government comes to power again, Shukla will be reappointed as Maharashtra DGP.

Nana Patole Requests Non-Appointment Of Shukla

Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole on Monday evening wrote to the EC thanking for the prompt action and removal of IPS Rashmi Shukla. However, Patole also requested the commission to not appoint Shukla to any position, adhering the legal framework. Notably, the DGP is the highest post in police services in Maharashtra.

Shukla was brought back from the centre after the Mahayuti formed government in Maharashtra. Shukla retired in June this year, however she was granted extension by the state government.

Since the announcement of Maharashtra assembly polls, the opposition MVA led by Congress has been asking for Shukla’s removal alleging that she was biased towards the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government.

Mumbai: Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah is set to hold his first rally in Maharashtra on Thursday in the Kolhapur South constituency, where Congress leader Satej Patil’s nephew, Ruturaj Patil, is contesting. Shah will also conduct rallies in Sangli, Satara, and Pune on the same day.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will arrive in Maharashtra on November 6 to hold rallies in Washim, Murtijapur, and Mozari-Tivsa in Amravati district. Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to kick off his campaign today from Nagpur. There are only 12 days left for campaigning.

Nalasopara: A ticket collector at the Western Railway was suspended after he forced a Marathi couple to speak in Hindi and was detained in the office of Railway Protection Force (RPF), the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti said. The couple was also forced to write on a paper, “We will never demand to talk in Marathi.” The incident has now sparked controversy and the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti members are protesting at Nalasopara station.

Commenting on the incident, the Western Railway spokesperson said that the TTE has been booked off duty and further actions will be taken after due investigation. Vasai GRP has registered an FIR under relevant sections and further investigation is on.

The incident came to light on Monday. However, the exact date of the incident is yet to be ascertained.

As per the initial information available, a couple with valid railway ticket was forced by an immigrant, non-Marathi speaking TTE , identified as Rakesh Maurya, demanded the couple to speak in Hindi and said, “If you are India, you should know Hindi.”

The couple was also forced to write on a piece of paper that they will never demand to speak in Marathi. The wife had recorded the incident on her phone, however she was forced to delete it. The couple was made to sit in the office for long time and later arrested by RPF, the media statement released by Marathi Ekikaran Samiti said.

The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti has called the incident a “disrespect to Marathi language” and have staged a protest at Nalasopara station’s railway master’s office.

The Western Railway said, “For us passengers of all religions, languages, regions are equal and our aim is to provide them with the best service. The matter will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken if any fault is found.”