Pune, 27 June 2025: In a major administrative move, the Maharashtra Home Department has ordered the transfer of 83 senior police officers across the state, including several postings in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The reshuffle includes officers from both the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the State Police Service and is being seen as part of a pre-election strategy to strengthen law enforcement in key urban areas.

Among the prominent transfers in Pune city, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amol Zende has been posted as Commandant of State Reserve Police Force Group 7 at Daund. Meanwhile, DCP Smaratna Patil, who headed Zone 2 in Pune, will now serve as Principal at the Police Training Centre in Khandala.

New faces in the Pune police force include Krishikesh Rawale, Rajalakshmi Shivankar, and Somaya Munde, who have been appointed as Deputy Commissioners of Police in the city.

In Pimpri-Chinchwad, DCP Swapna Gore from Zone 1 has been transferred to the State Reserve Police Force Group 2 in Pune, while Crime Branch DCP Sandeep Doiphode has been posted to the Mira-Bhayander-Vasai-Virar police jurisdiction.

Their replacements include Shweta Khedkar, previously DCP of Special Branch in Nagpur, and Sandeep Atole, who earlier served as Superintendent in the Anti-Corruption Bureau at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Other notable changes include M.M. Makandar taking charge as Superintendent of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force in Pune, and Ashwini Sanap being posted as Superintendent of Railway Police in Pune. The reshuffle is aimed at bringing in experienced officers to critical urban positions ahead of the upcoming civic body elections.

Officials said the transfers were carried out purely for administrative reasons. However, with elections on the horizon, the move is likely intended to ensure tighter policing and enhanced preparedness across urban centres like Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.