MUMBAI: Soon after intelligence commissioner Rashmi Shukla had in August 2020 submitted her report on transfers in the home department in violation of rules, TOI was the first to report on her “secret” communication.
Shukla had on August 25 alerted the then DGP Subodh Jaiswal on the network of politically connected brokers taking bribes for transfers to prime and lucrative postings. Shukla had then placed under surveillance individuals allegedly involved in such activities. She found there was merit in the allegations that there was a racket involved.
Based on the preliminary probe conducted by Shukla, Jaiswal submitted a comprehensive report to the additional chief secretary, home, with a request to identify the individuals and take action. In addition, Jaiswal had written another letter to the ACS on transfers and postings. Jaiswal’s report was brought to the notice of CM Uddhav Thackeray and home minister Anil Deshmukh, but apparently no action was taken on the grounds there was no substance in the allegations.
For Jaiswal, it was a disappointing situation as the government did not accept a single suggestion made by him on postings and transfers. Jaiswal’s contention was that the government should adhere to guidelines prescribed by the apex court in the Prakash Singh case and state law on transfers, which provides for a minimum tenure of two years.
Jaiswal had also submitted a list of eligible and non-eligible officers. As per Jaiswal’s contention, only 60 to 80 officers in the state were eligible for transfers.
When the home department released the list of transferred officers, the DG office was shocked as several non-eligible officers were not only shifted but given prime assignments. Hurt, Jaiswal decided to go in for Central deputation and got it. “Contoversial IPS officers were granted prime assignments while many were sidelined,” a senior IPS officer said.