Senior officers lobbying
Satta bazaars across nation including that of Nagpur are keen to know
Nagpur: Amidst the news of transfers of IPS cadre officers across the state and the speculations about Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria going to become the next DGP of the state, the talks about who the next Commissioner of Police for Mumbai would be are running rife from Mumbai to Delhi.
According to an IPS officer who spoke (on condition of anonymity) to Nagpur Today crime reporter in this regard, a meeting between Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Deshmukh took place in Delhi the other day over the issue of next Mumbai CP. Meanwhile, the lobbying by senior IPS officers is also going on for such a lucrative post.
Our sources informed that the name of 1985 batch IPS officer Subodh Jaiswal, who is on deputation at the Centre at present, is under consideration of the Centre. It is said that the present DGP Sajeev Dayal is also giving his behind-the-door push for Subodh Jaiswal, but the state government is not showing its keenness on his name.
Knowledgeable sources claim that seniority-wise IPS officer K K Pathak would be the most suitable hand to deal with Mumbai and thus he can be made next Mumbai CP. Moreover, during his two-and-a-half years tenure as Nagpur CP has been appreciable, and he was transferred to Pune as Pune CP from here only. Pathak’s functioning has been witnessed from a close quarter by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as well as Uinion Minister Nitin Gadkari. Pathak has worked in Mumbai for many a time and he is well aware of functioning in Mumbai.
There is yet another name, Sanjay Barve, a 1987 batch IPS officer, who has been very successful in police administration, and enjoys a reputation as a Marathi IPS officer. He holds a high image in the opinion of DG (ACB) Pravin Dixit. But, the clouds of suspicion hovered on him in Adarsh Scam. In year 2011, the CBI had interrogated him in connection with Adarsh Scam as he had allegedly extended help in seeking permission for Adarsh Building construction when he was Joint Commissioner (Traffic), Mumbai. As a result, he was allegedly given a flat in Adarsh Building. Save such an allegation, he holds a clean image in his official capacity.
It may be mentioned here that Sanjay Barve has been awarded by President for his effective functioning in Ramabai Nagar case. He has a vast experience of working as Solapur CP and DCP of Gadchiroli and other cities including Mumbai. He recently visited Nagpur and met Chief Minister Fadnavis at his residence.
But, if Sanjay Barve is given chance by sidelining his seniors like V D Mishra, Prabhat Ranjan, K K Pathak, Datta Padasgalikar and others, the state government will be bitterly criticized. Moreover, all these officers have experiences of working in Mumbai.
Nagpur Today reminds here that the state government had suffered its mockery when a 1988 batch IPS officer Paramveer Singh Bhadana was appointed Thane CP, and dissenting K L Prasad had tendered his resignation.
Reliable sources informed, the names of K K Pathak and Sanjay Barve are under consideration of the government. Even satta-bazaaris across the country including those in Nagpur are keenly making speculations as to who will be the next CP of Mumbai.
—Ravikant Kamble
