MBVV Police Stations Face Leadership Vacuum After Poll-Eve Reshuffle, 17 Senior Inspectors Transferred | File Photo
Mira-Bhayandar: In a startling revelation, most of the senior inspectors heading police stations under the jurisdiction of the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police who were transferred on the eve of the state assembly elections have been replaced by less experienced officials as “prabhari’s” (additional in-charge).
This despite the fact that a senior inspector plays a crucial role by shouldering the responsibility of maintaining law and order, prevention of crime and detecting cases by ensuring a proper coordination with the local intelligence system.
Notably, a total of 263 officers from various police stations and training centres across various districts in the state were transferred by the office of the director general of police (DGP) in adherence to the directions issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Of the 263 transferred officials, 38 including 17 out of the 19 senior police inspectors were attached to the MBVV commissionerate accounting 82 percent of the transfers.
As the state is under a caretaker government, some of the officials who termed the election-related transfers as unjustified, have moved the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal, Mumbai seeking reinstatement at their earlier postings.
Apart from pointing out various inconsistencies in the transfer process, the petition contended that it was a total misconception on the part of the authorities to treat two revenue districts- Palghar and Thane as a unified district to calculate the total tenure of the police officers to execute the transfer orders.
The petitioners have also cited that the procedure followed during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was in pursuance to the due process of law. Notably, the MBVV commissionerate comprises 19 police stations out of which 7 and 12 fall under the limits of the Thane and Palghar district respectively.
Several officers are on sick leave owing to the decision which reflects the crisis and can result in the force being demoraliised, said an official requesting anonymity. While the reinstatement of IPS officer-Rashmi Shukla as Maharashtra’s DGP has ignited hopes amongst the transferred officials. The MAT is scheduled to hear the petition on Thursday (5, December).
