Some of the most astute and courageous Indian Police Service (IPS) officers adeptly navigate their postings, demonstrating both intelligence and resolve. However, this does not imply that other officers lack intellect; rather, many seem to lack the determination to advocate for their own rights. As these officers represent the future of law enforcement, their inability to secure justice for themselves raises questions about their capacity to deliver justice for the public. Such dynamics cast doubt on the integrity of the system.
Mr. Deven Tripurari Sharan Bharti (RR: 19941049, 1994 batch IPS) is widely recognized as a highly intelligent officer. Despite his controversial reputation, he has consistently maintained favor with various political parties in Maharashtra. In 2022, Sanjay Pande, then Commissioner of Police for Greater Mumbai, proposed the creation of two Special Commissioner of Police posts—one for South Mumbai and another for Suburban Mumbai—via a letter (Ref: पोआ/कक्ष-२(रवका)/९५/२०२२, dated 13/05/2022) to the Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Maharashtra. This proposal lacked documented justification. The proposed Special Commissioners were to oversee their respective Additional Commissioners, offices, and police stations, managing crime and law and order in their jurisdictions.
Despite controversial records and adverse reports, Mr. Bharti was appointed Special Commissioner of Police for the entirety of Mumbai on January 4, 2023 (शासन आदेश क्र. आयपीएस-2022/प्र.क्र. ४३७/पोल-१). In this role, all four Joint Commissioners of Police were required to report to him regarding crime and law and order in Mumbai City.
Following the retirement of Mr. Vivek Phansalkar, then Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai, on April 30, 2025, a significant and seemingly targeted change occurred. The Commissioner’s post, traditionally held by an officer of Director General of Police rank, was downgraded to Additional Director General of Police. This adjustment facilitated Mr. Bharti’s appointment as Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, sidelining more senior officers with exemplary service records (शासन आदेश क्र. एच.डी.-१००१०/१९/२०२५/पोल-१, dated 30.04.2025).
A similar maneuver appears to have occurred with the Special Commissioner of Police post. To prevent officers of Mr. Bharti’s original rank from claiming it, the position was downgraded to Special Inspector General of Police and reclassified as Joint Commissioner of Police Intelligence, with its duties realigned to focus on intelligence for Mumbai City. This change seems unnecessary, as the Special Branch, led by the Joint Commissioner Law and Order and the Additional Commissioner of Police, Special Branch, already handles such responsibilities. Subsequently, Smt. Arti Singh, a highly capable IPS officer, was appointed to this restructured role (शासन आदेश क्र. एच.डी.-१००१०/२४/तीन/२०२५/पोल-१, dated 16.05.2025). This restructuring appears to have effectively eliminated potential future challenges to Mr. Bharti’s authority.
These events collectively suggest a pattern of apparent manipulations within the system, raising concerns about fairness and transparency in the appointment and restructuring of senior IPS positions in Maharashtra.
