Who is former Mumbai top cop Sanjay Pandey, now in Congress?

Pandey, who had toyed with the idea of contesting polls in the early 2000s before eventually being convinced against it, was seen to be close to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), especially the Shiv Sena (UBT), under whose tenure he was made Maharashtra Director-General of Police (DGP) in 2021 and subsequently Mumbai Commissioner in February the following year.

The 62-year-old Pandey, who was touted to contest the Versova Assembly seat – which has a significant population of north Indians – in the upcoming polls as an Independent, had also expressed his willingness to contest the recent Lok Sabha polls but decided against it for reasons unknown.

In 1994, Pandey had arrested BJP leader, late Gopinath Munde in connection with disturbing law and order. (Express Archives)

The former Mumbai top cop, who grabbed the spotlight a few times while being relegated to the sidelines often, first won praise during his role as additional help and then DCP (Zone VIII) at Dharavi in the aftermath of the Bombay riots of 1992-93. He was known to have taken a tough stand against the then united and aggressive Shiv Sena, whose splinter unit would propel him to top posts almost three decades later.

“The government was so impressed with him (in Dharavi) that he was given charge of the zone though he initially worked there as an additional help,” an IPS officer said.

In 1994, Pandey had arrested BJP leader, late Gopinath Munde in connection with disturbing law and order. His presence in Dharavi, where the problem of illegal parking was once rampant, would prompt cab drivers to clear the area.

Pandey had managed to build such a good rapport with the people of Dharavi that locals held a procession seeking the revocation of his transfer. “Even today, people remember him as Dharavi waale Pandeyji,” the officer said.

A few believe it was this popularity in Dharavi – the stronghold of Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad, who inducted him into the party – may have played a role in him being inducted in the grand old party despite his perceived closeness to the Shiv Sena (UBT).

As DCP of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in 1998, the former top cop investigated the politically-sensitive cobbler scam but was transferred to Jalna mid-way. He later was deputy centrally and was attached to the Prime Minister’s security unit.

Disillusioned with the police force and to make “better use” of his computer science degree, Pandey resigned from service in 2000 and went on to work in the private sector. However, he joined the police force a year later after the government refused to accept his resignation.

He successfully moved court as he was kept in compulsory waiting by the government but was relegated to the sidelines before being thrust into the spotlight when he was appointed Maharashtra DGP and Mumbai Police Commissioner. Many in the BJP feel his elevation was an indication of his closeness to the MVA as it was in stark contrast to his reputation as an upright officer whose no-nonsense approach had resulted in political parties keeping him away from executive postings.

His tenures as DGP and Mumbai police chief were mixed bags with his pro-constabulary and pro-citizen initiatives receiving praise while some of his decisions came under flak. While for his initiative to close vehicular traffic on the north-bound road of Marine Drive (till the Marine Lines flyover) every Sunday till 10 am to enable people to come out on the streets was hailed, his move to direct police stations to seek approval from DCPs before registering cases of sexual harassment against children came under fire.

Pandey’s lowest point came in July 2022 after he was arrested by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the NSE phone tapping case. He was granted bail five months later by the Delhi High Court.