Maharashtra IGP alleges he was harassed by the Director General

A senior police officer has alleged that he was being ‘mentally harassed’ by state Director General of Police (DGP) Satish Mathur to such an extent that he intended to end his life, an allegation dismissed by the top cop as “wrong and unfortunate”.

In the messages purportedly attributed to him, which are doing rounds on social media, Inspector General of police (IGP), Amravati range, Vithal Jadhav has alleged that he was being targeted by Mathur for being a Maratha. Reacting to the charge, Mathur on Tuesday said he disapproved of police officers evoking caste to put forth their grievances.

“No police officer should evoke caste while airing their grievances. If an officer of rank of Inspector General of Police claims that he is being harassed because he is a Maratha, it’s totally wrong. I have also asked IGP Jadhav to come to the office and put his grievance in writing,” Mathur told PTI here.

He was reacting to reports that Jadhav has also accused him of targeting him over his caste. Seeking to debunk the charge of harassment, the DGP said, “In recent meeting, I had asked questions to Jadhav about law and order in his range. I also asked the same set of questions to police commissioners of Pune, Thane, Navi Mumbai and IG, Nashik.

“We are working for the people. We are accountable to them. For that matter, it’s my duty to ask questions to my officers. If anybody claims that this is harassment then it’s wrong and unfortunate,” the DGP said.