In a surprise move, Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh resigned from service and is set to jump into electoral politics amidst reports that the high profile IPS officer may contest Lok Sabha polls on BJP or AAP ticket.
"I have resigned and sent the papers to the state government," Singh said today, becoming the first serving Mumbai Police Chief to resign from service.
According to sources, 59-year-old Singh opted for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme yesterday and sent his papers to the state Home Department, which forwarded it to the Chief Minister's Office for acceptance.
"The government has accepted the resignation of Singh with immediate effect today," Home Minister R R Patil told PTI.
"It has been decided that Joint Police Commissioner (Administration) Hemant Nagarale, who is the senior most officer in the Mumbai police department, will head the city police till the time new police commissioner is appointed," he said.
Singh, who was due to retire next year, is understood to have been mulling contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha polls either from Mumbai or Uttar Pradesh, his native state.
According to some reports, he has offers from BJP as well as Aam Aadmi Party.
"So far, my sphere of work was limited to Mumbai, now I want to serve the country. I will work for national unity, social harmony, national integration and world peace," he said.
"I have had a satisfying tenure. I will now listen to my conscience and will do as it tells me to," he added.
