Pune Rural SP Pankaj Deshmukh Challenges Transfer; Tribunal Grants Stay

Pune District Rural Police Superintendent Pankaj Deshmukh has contested his recent transfer, which came just seven months after his appointment. Deshmukh quickly sought relief from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which has temporarily stayed the transfer order.

On January 31, 2024, Pankaj Deshmukh was appointed as the Superintendent of Police for Pune District Rural, a routine transfer from his prior position in the State Crime Investigation Department (CID).

However, in just seven months, Deshmukh was abruptly transferred to the role of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in Mumbai, raising questions about the rationale behind such a swift move.

The transfer order did not specify any reasons for this mid-term reassignment, which is typically uncommon unless there are extenuating circumstances.

The Central Administrative Tribunal, in an urgent hearing, responded to Deshmukh's petition by granting a stay on the transfer order. The tribunal bench, comprising Justice M.G. Sevalikar and Santosh Mehra, ruled that Deshmukh should not be transferred until the tribunal holds its next hearing, which is scheduled for October 19, 2024.

This decision provides temporary relief to Deshmukh, allowing him to remain in his current role as Superintendent of Police for Pune District Rural.

Deshmukh's petition highlighted concerns over the lack of transparency in his transfer and the absence of any stated reasons for the decision. Mid-term transfers without justification often raise suspicions about administrative motives.

Pankaj Deshmukh is an accomplished IPS officer from the 2011 Maharashtra cadre. An IT engineer by background, Deshmukh began his police career in Amravati Rural and has since held several high-profile positions, including Superintendent of Police in Nanded, Ahmednagar, Osmanabad, and Satara. His tenure in Pune includes notable roles as Deputy Commissioner of Police for the Traffic Branch and Zone IV.