Telgi stamp case: IPS officer Wagal reinstated

Senior state cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Shridhar Wagal has been reinstated in the Maharashtra police. Debasish Panigrahi reports.

Senior state cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Shridhar Wagal has been reinstated in the Maharashtra police.

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Wagal confirmed to the Hindustan Times on Monday that he reported to the Director General of Police (DGP) last week following his reinstatement in the force. He is currently awaiting his posting.

A 1976 batch officer, Wagal was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed to investigate the multi-crore Telgi stamp scam in 2003 when he was posted as the Inspector General of Police, state intelligence department.

However, in 2007, while granting him bail, the Supreme Court had observed that it was satisfied there was no case against him. Following the court’s observation, Wagal had moved the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) for his reinstatement in the Maharashtra police. In July 2010, the CAT had passed a favourable order directing his reinstatement.

The state government last week paved the way for his reinstatement. At present, Wagal is the senior-most officer IPS officer in the state police.

Following his reinstatement, he has emerged as one of the claimants for the post of the Director General of Police (DGP) as per the seniority rule set by the state government.