Mumbai News: Archana Tyagi Likely To Become First Woman Police Commissioner As Vivek Phansalkar Prepares For Retirement

Mumbai: With Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar set to retire on April 30, the announcement of the city’s new police chief is expected within the next two days. Sources indicate that senior IPS officer Archana Tyagi has emerged as the frontrunner, setting the stage for a historic first — the appointment of a woman as Mumbai’s Police Commissioner.

According to insider information, both the Maharashtra government and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are inclined toward handing over the leadership of Mumbai Police to a female officer. If confirmed, this would mark the third instance of a woman being appointed to a top administrative post in the state in recent months.

Earlier, Sujata Saunik made history by becoming Maharashtra’s first female Chief Secretary, and Rashmi Shukla was appointed as the state’s Director General of Police (DGP).

Sources also reveal that a series of high-level meetings have been held in recent days to discuss Tyagi’s appointment, with Tyagi herself reportedly participating in some of these discussions. An official announcement is expected imminently.

Initially, NIA Director General Sadanand Date was considered a strong contender for the post. However, due to his key role in critical investigations — including the probe into Pakistani national Tahawwur Rana and the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir — the central government is reportedly unwilling to release him at this juncture. This development has further boosted Tyagi’s prospects.

Archana Tyagi, a 1993-batch IPS officer, currently serves as the Managing Director of the Maharashtra State Police Housing and Welfare Corporation. Known as the "Lady Supercop," Tyagi is celebrated for her distinguished career.