Who's Next in Line for Mumbai's Top Cop? Race Heats Up as Vivek Phansalkar Nears Retirement

MUMBAI: As Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar approaches his retirement on April 30, the race to select his successor is intensifying. Phansalkar, a 1989-batch IPS officer, will end his tenure after a long and significant career, and the decision on his replacement now rests with Maharashtra's Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis.

While seniority plays a role, political preferences especially those of Fadnavis are expected to have a significant influence in the selection process. Recent remarks by Fadnavis, wishing Phansalkar an early retirement at a police event, suggest that the current commissioner may not receive an extension.

Among the front-runners is Deven Bharti, a 1994-batch IPS officer and a close associate of Fadnavis. Bharti, who served as Joint Commissioner (Law & Order) during Fadnavis’ earlier tenure as CM, is currently Special Commissioner of Police. His strong ties with Fadnavis position him as a leading contender for the top post.

Senior officers such as Sanjay Kumar Verma and Sadanand Date, both from the 1990 batch, are also in the running. Verma, with a tenure until 2028, has served as Director General of Police, while Date, currently heading the National Investigation Agency, is seen as a favorite due to his involvement in high-profile cases like the 26/11 terror attacks and his proximity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Other notable names include Bipin Kumar Singh (DG, State Security Corporation) and Ritesh Kumar (DG, State CID), both of whom are eligible for the commissioner’s post due to their DG rank. Additionally, Archana Tyagi, a 1993-batch officer and currently serving as Managing Director of the Maharashtra Police Housing and Welfare Corporation, is also considered a strong contender. Tyagi, well-regarded in the force, could become the first woman to hold the prestigious position, following in the footsteps of Maharashtra’s woman DGP.

The competition for Mumbai's next top cop is fierce, with the final decision expected to balance political ties, seniority, and merit. The clock is ticking, and Mumbai awaits the announcement.