Sanjay Pandey

Summary

Officer credited by TOI with keeping Dharavi out of the 1993 riots, who spent years in side postings before a late turn as Mumbai's police chief. Note: the Bombay High Court in 2022 criticised the state for favouring him for the DGP post, so his story is not only one of punishment.

PTI via Economic Times (Dec 2015): '14 transfers in his 15 years of police career, including three transfers in last one year' (his service had breaks, so 15 years of a 1986-batch career). Not updated for 2016-22.

1. Oct 2015One report

   Controller, Legal MetrologyDeputy Commandant, Home Guards

   Moved to the Home Guards, 'considered as a punishment posting', the third transfer that year; he then applied for central deputation as CEO of NATGRID.

   Reported reason

   PTI cites 'close sources' saying frequent transfers led him to seek deputation; Pandey would not say.

   What became of the matter

   Not applicable.

   economictimes.indiatimes.com

2. 6 years with no move on record here.

3. Mar 2021One report

   DG, Home GuardsHead, Maharashtra State Security Corporation

   The state's most senior IPS officer, 'sidelined for years' per TOI, was moved to what TOI called an insignificant posting. He messaged the CM and Home Minister: 'Sir, please convey my heartfelt gratitude to CM for his thoughtfulness in demolishing careers', and said he would proceed on leave.

   Up against

   Uddhav Thackeray, Chief Minister, Shiv Sena (MVA) Government: Maha Vikas Aghadi (Uddhav Thackeray), Maharashtra.

   Reported reason

   Pandey: 'The government did not have the courtesy to inform me about the posting.'

   Outcome

   Later acting DGP; removed from that charge in Feb 2022 after the Bombay High Court pulled up the state for favouring him; then Mumbai CP.

   What became of the matter

   Reversed then promoted. Made acting DGP, then Mumbai Police Commissioner (Feb 2022) months before retirement (Mid-day). mid-day.com

   timesofindia.indiatimes.com