Will Mumbai get its first ever woman Police Commissioner?

The end of tenure of Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Barve in the coming week may pave the way for the city to get its first ever woman police chief.

Barve's term ends on August 31 but if he doesn't receive an extension of service, Mumbai will get a new police chief. 

Among the contenders for the top cop's job is senior IPS officer Rashmi Shukla. Her ascension as the Police Commissioner of Mumbai would mean that she will become the first-ever woman to hold the post.

Rashmi Shukla, a 1988-batch IPS officer is hailed for her contribution towards the safety of women in Pune.

Besides Shukla, currently the Maharashtra State Intelligence Commissioner, another senior IPS officer Param Bir Singh is also among those being considered for selection to the post. A 1987-batch IPS officer, Singh currently hols the post of Director General of Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau. 

The other hopeful for the post of Mumbai Police Commissioner, Param Bir Singh, was the police commissioner of Thane when Dawood Ibrahim's brother Iqbal Kaskar was arrested for extortion. He has also worked in Mumbai Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS).

The decision to extend Barve's term lies with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The chances of Sanjay Barve's term being extended is very slim considering in 2008 the then DGP PS Pasricha and Mumbai Police Commissioner DN Jadhav were given a three-month extension but Mumbai High Court termed the government's move as arbitrary.