Sandeep Karnik
Sandeep Karnik | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Commissioner of Police, Nashik City | |
| Assumed office 24 November 2023 | |
| Joint Commissioner of Police, Pune | |
| In office 21 April 2022 – 22 November 2023 | |
| Additional Commissioner of Police, Mumbai | |
| In office 31 July 2018 – 21 April 2022 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1975 (age 49–50) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | |
| Alma mater | Mumbai University, Pune University, Osmania University |
| Police career | |
| Service | Indian Police Service |
| Department | Maharashtra Police |
| Service years | 2004–Present |
| Rank |  Special IGP |
Sandeep Karnik is an Indian police service officer from the 2004 batch, currently serving as the Commissioner of Police Nashik. Appointed by the Maharashtra government, he took charge in November 2023. Sandeep Karnik also held the position of Joint Commissioner of Police in Pune, starting in April 2022. Before this, he served as the Superintendent of Pune Rural Police.[1][2][3]
Early life & education
[edit]Sandeep Karnik completed his Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Electronics from Mumbai University, an MBA in Marketing, and a Master’s in Police Management.
Currently serving as the Commissioner of Police, Nashik City, he assumed office in November 2023. He served in districts such as Ahmednagar, Thane, Nagpur, Jalna, and Nanded before being appointed as the Superintendent of Police for Pune Rural.[4]
Career
[edit]He has held several executive positions and has extensive experience in law enforcement. In his tenure as Nashik Police Commissioner, he gained recognition for his citizen-friendly initiatives and role in curbing drug-related activities.[5][6]
In March 2024, the Maharashtra government appointed Karnik as the head of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Maratha quota violence.[7][8]
Controversies
[edit]Maval firing incident
[edit]In August 2011, while serving as Superintendent of Police (Pune rural), a police firing incident occurred on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway (Maval).[9] Following the incident in which four farmers died, allegations arose regarding the appropriateness of the use of force, with claims that the firing was unprovoked and not directed into the air.[10] Within a month, the state government appointed judicial commission led by Justice M.G. Gaikwad.[11] But the commission found no direct evidence linking him to any injuries and recommended administrative action only against certain officers for excessive response, which the State Government accepted. The Bombay High Court, while hearing petitions, too upheld this decision, confirming that due legal procedures were followed.[12][13][14][15]
Nashik Dargah demolition drive incident
[edit]On April 16, 2025, violence broke out in Nashik during a demolition drive targeting the Satpeer Baba Dargah, declared illegal by the Bombay High Court.[16] Clashes with police injured 21 officers.[17] Despite the case being sub judice, the structure was demolished, prompting the Supreme Court to stay further action and demand an explanation. Karnik, as a Nashik Police Commissioner, claimed he was unaware of a pending Supreme Court petition by the Dargah Trust.[18] He also noted intelligence about attempts to incite unrest prior to the incident, prompting preemptive police action.[19]
References
[edit]- ^ Sonawane, Santosh (28 December 2023). "New 'CP WhatsApp' number to gather feedback on policing Nashik". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ "Pune: Joint Commissioner of Police Sandip Karnik transferred to Nashik". The Indian Express. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ Pal, Pragati (11 March 2024). "Maharashtra Govt Appoints IPS Officer Sandeep Karnik as Head of SIT to Probe Maratha Quota Violence". News18. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ "People-police interact during 'CP at Your Doorsteps' event". The Times of India. 13 February 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ "New Nashik CP Karnik to focus on citizen-friendly policing". The Times of India. 25 November 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ Nikale, Prashant (8 January 2025). "Nashik Police Chase Smugglers For 25 KM, Nab One; Seize 28 KG Of Marijuana". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ Naik, Yogesh (12 March 2024). "State appoints IPS officer Sandeep Karnik as head of SIT to probe Maratha agitation". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ "Maratha quota violence: Maharashtra govt appoints IPS officer Sandeep Karnik as head of SIT". Mid-day. 11 March 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ Kumar, Krishna (12 August 2011). "Six policemen suspended for firing on Pune farmers". India Today. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ "Four killed in police firing on protesting farmers in Pune". The Times of India. 2011-08-09. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ^ "Retired judge to probe Maval firing". The Hindu. 2011-09-02. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ^ "Court refuses to interfere in state decision to let off ex-SP". The Indian Express. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ Mahajani, Urvi (11 March 2015). "Maval firing: Bombay High Court calls for original report". DNA India. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ "Karnik deposition,logbook entry raise doubts on firing order". The Indian Express. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ Sequeira, Rosy (23 April 2015). "Clean chit to top cop in Maval firing not arbitrary : HC". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ "Clashes erupt in Nashik during demolition of unauthorised structure around dargah; 15 arrested". The Indian Express. 2025-04-16. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ^ "Illegal dargah demolished in Nashik hours before SC stay; police deploy tear gas, lathis against stone-pelting protestors". The Hindu. 2025-04-16. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ^ Nikale, Prashant (17 April 2024). "Supreme Court Stays Action In Nashik's Saat Peer Baba Dargah Case". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ^ "Nashik Dargah Clash: 21 Cops Injured as Mob Resists Demolition Drive". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
Further reading
[edit]- Deshmukh, Chaitraly (13 August 2011). "Sandeep Karnik: An 'arrogant' gentleman". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 6 May 2025.