Rishi Kumar played a key role in the extradition of don Abu Salem

NEW DELHI: I just don’t want to stay here, that’s it”. This is what then DGP

Rishi Kumar

Shukla had repeatedly told a close confidante, an ADG-rank officer, two days before the Kamal Nath government shifted him as managing director of

Madhya Pradesh

police housing corporation.


“I am still wondering why Shuklaji was so adamant on leaving MP despite knowing that the new government was comfortable with him,” the ADG told TOI on Saturday, asking not to be named, soon after Shukla was selected CBI director.

“He didn’t tell me the reason, but I think he was very clear about his next goal,” he added.

The 58-year-old officer from

Gwalior

had played a key role in the extradition of underworld don Abu Salem, who was found guilty in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, and his then-girlfriend Monica Bedi in 2005. Shukla had gone on leave on October 15 — about six weeks before assembly election — following cardiac problems.

V K Singh was made in-charge DGP during the polls, and eventually replaced him. A tech-savvy officer, he was the first DGP of MP to have a Twitter handle while some of his subordinates were active on personal accounts. As DGP, he wasn’t shy of taking tough decisions and put 10 IPS officers under departmental and vigilance inquires, besides handing out severe punishments to 1,000 of state police.