24 Mumbai Police Officers Among 75 Who Turned Down Promotions; Disciplinary Action Ordered

Mumbai: The Maharashtra police recently issued promotion orders for police inspectors for 2022-23 and 2023-24. These promotions were to the ranks of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP). However, 75 officers refused the promotions, 24 from Mumbai alone, prompting the department to issue an order on May 1 directing action against them.

The order states that if action is not taken, the responsibility will lie with the senior officers concerned. These officers will not be included in future promotion lists and will also be deprived of benefits under the Pay Commission, sources said.

The trend of turning down promotions has been on the rise in the state police department. Officers cite personal reasons, and some refer to old departmental inquiries to avoid advancement. This growing reluctance has adversely affected junior officers, who are left waiting in the chain of command.

According to a Government Resolution (GR) issued on October 12, 2016, officers who refuse promotion will not be considered for promotion for the next two years from the year of refusal. Their eligibility will be reassessed in the third year. Their department may also revoke benefits provided under the Assured Progress Scheme. Officers are only eligible for Pay Commission benefits after 10 years of regular service following promotion. Those who permanently refuse promotion are completely barred from future consideration.

Former Deputy Commissioner of Police Rohidas Dusar explained, “The reasons include concerns about their children’s education, health issues, or being posted to remote locations like Gadchiroli at the end of their careers.” He said although rules exist for dealing with officers who decline promotions, they are often not enforced seriously. He also cited political interference. “The trend is also seen in other departments such as the Public Works Department,” he added.

Activist Kamlakar Shenoy's View

Activist Kamlakar Shenoy said that most of the officers who decline promotions hold lucrative present postings. He alleged that top officers at Mantralaya are hand in glove with some dismissed officers. “It has been reported that large sums of money exchange hands to secure desirable postings. As a result, corrupt officers get the best positions, while honest officers are sidelined.

A recent example occurred during the elections, where good officers were transferred and have not yet been given new postings,” he alleged further. Shenoy said nearly 15-20 officers have been left without assignments and are currently kept in the control room or at the Commissioner’s office without any police station under their charge. “This is a very bad situation, and we need to put a stop to such corruption in postings at every level,” he added.