IPS officer writes to M'rashtra govt, alleges 'victimisation'

Senior Maharashtra IPS officer Sanjay Pandey has alleged he has been "victimised" by the state government and overlooked for appointment to a "suitable" post.

Pandey, currently posted as Director General, Home Guards, has written a letter to the additional chief secretary (Home) and the chief secretary, listing his grievances against the government.

The second senior-most IPS officer of the state has also a sent a copy of the letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (through his private secretary), who holds the Home portfolio.

In the letter, the 1986-batch officer has lashed out at the government, alleging, its "arbitrary, discriminatory and illegal administrative" actions are directly affecting his career.

In his five-page missive, accessed by PTI, Pandey said the government has repeatedly "overlooked" him for either the post of Mumbai Police Commissioner or Director General of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

"I have been victimised and have been at the receiving end of numerous transgressions by the government right from the year 2000 onwards.

"I approached various Tribunals and High Courts and was successful in each and every case. I had to file no less than three proceedings for contempt of court ...and still government has denied me postings and promotions," he said.

Pandey, considered an upright officer, has requested the government to do justice by appointing him to a "suitable" post as per cadre rules and established norms.

"Finally, as a government servant and that too in a disciplined force, unlike private servants, we do have rules and conventions which govern our careers and hope we will be governed by these norms rather than ad-hoc, arbitrary, discriminatory and unfair arrangements," Pandey said.

When approached, Pandey, praised by the Srikrishna Commission and later by the Amnesty International for his work in controlling the 1993 Mumbai riots, confirmed writing the letter, but declined to provide details, saying he is waiting for the government's response.

Fadnavis, when contacted by PTI, said he will look into the representation submitted by the senior IPS officer.

"I will look into his representation and deal with it in accordance with rules," said the Chief Minister.