Civilian removed from Maharashtra State Police Complaints Authority due to criminal background

Rajkumar Dhakane

Almost a year after being appointed on the panel of the Maharashtra State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA), civilian Rajkumar Dhakane has been terminated by the state government for having a criminal background. An inquiry conducted by the Home Department has revealed that he was involved in an attempt-to-murder case in April 2015 and another case was also registered against him.

On July 14, 2020, the Home Department had issued a notification for Dhakane and appointed him as an eminent member of the panel from civil society. Following this many people questioned his appointment. Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis had demanded an inquiry into the matter. The Home Department had launched a probe and a report was submitted by the Director General of Police. The report states that serious offences have been registered against Dhakane, based on which he was removed from authority, said a senior Home Department official. The principal secretary (special) then issued a notification on behalf of the government saying it considered expedient to remove Dhakane as a member of the said authority.

The notification mentions, "In exercise of the powers conferred by section 22P of the Maharashtra Police Act read with section 16 of the Maharashtra General Clauses Act (I of 1904), the Government of Maharashtra removes Rajkumar Bhujangrao Dhakane as a member of the State Police Complaint Authority."

Dhakane was booked on charges of attempt to murder after allegedly hitting a parking attendant at Pune's Koregaon Park police station in April 2015. mid-day tried contacting Dhakne, but there was no response from him.

The SPCA was set up as per the Supreme Court order to enable citizens to lodge complaints against police officials from the post of DGP to the rank of constable. The trial is conducted in an authority equivalent to a sessions court.