Ahead of Maharashtra’s Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed Sanjay Kumar Verma (IPS: 1990: MH) as the state’s new Director General of Police (DGP). Verma replaces Rashmi Shukla (IPS: 1988: MH), Maharashtra’s first female DGP, who was transferred on Monday following a series of political complaints about her role in alleged phone-tapping activities. Verma, previously Maharashtra’s Director General of Legal and Technical, formally assumes his new role on Tuesday.

This appointment follows a turbulent period for Shukla, who was accused of involvement in politically charged incidents, including allegations of telephone tapping of political figures. Following Shukla’s transfer, Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar (IPS: 1989: MH) held the DGP post temporarily. The Maharashtra Chief Secretary, Sujata Saunik, submitted a three-candidate panel to the ECI, which included Phansalkar, Verma, and Ritesh Kumar. The ECI ultimately chose Verma to lead Maharashtra’s law enforcement efforts as the state heads toward its November 20 polls.

Verma is presently posted as director general (legal and technical) and in the past has headed the special investigation team (SIT) which conducted a probe into the killing of communist leader and rationalist Govind Pansare in 2015.