Mumbai: Formerly Suspended Officer Now Appointed To State Intelligence Department

Mumbai, 29th August 2023: A senior police officer, Saurabh Tripathi, who was previously suspended amidst an extortion case, has now found himself back in the fold, securing a position within the State Intelligence Department. This significant development comes on the heels of his suspension during the Mahavikas Aghadi government, which was subsequently lifted following an earlier change in the state leadership last year.

Tripathi’s suspension, which stemmed from his alleged involvement in an Angadia extortion case, was officially revoked last month, opening the door for his long-awaited reintegration into the service. After lifting his appointment, Tripathi was not handed any charge until Monday, when the Home Department, in its orders, designated Tripathi as the Deputy Commissioner of the State Intelligence Division.

In March last year, Tripathi, then serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police, found himself at the centre of the Angadia extortion imbroglio. Accusations had surfaced from Angadia businessmen, who asserted that Tripathi had been coercively demanding a monthly sum of Rs 10 lakh. The severity of the situation led to a formal complaint and, subsequently, his suspension from duty.

Following the charges, a high-level committee chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Saunik was formed to look into this matter. This committee, eventually rescinded the suspension action against Tripathi, acquitting him of all the accusations, citing that an IPS officer’s suspension cannot extend beyond three months. This acquittal paved Tripathi’s comeback into the service.