Mumbai: Former 'encounter specialist' police officer Pradeep Sharma joined the ruling Shiv Sena in Maharashtra on Friday, ahead of the Assembly polls.
Sharma, one of the Mumbai police officers who were famous for killing gangsters in 'encounters', resigned from the police force in July. He held the rank of senior inspector then.
According to sources, he may get ticket from the Sena for the Assembly polls.
He joined the Sena in presence of party president Uddhav Thackeray, who tied `Shiv Bandhan' on his wrist.
Sena leaders sport `Shiv Bandhan', a thread, on their wrists to indicate loyalty to the party.
Sharma said he was always inspired by late Bal Thackeray, the Sena's founder.
"I am getting a good platform to do good work," he said.
He has reportedly shot dead more than 100 criminals in 'encounters'. "The Home department accepted Sharma's resignation on Monday," sources said, adding that relevant orders have also been issued.
However, Sharma will not be able to get retirement benefits like pension etc. till the Bombay High Court gives its verdict on a petition challenging Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT) order in the Ramnarayan Gupta alias Lakhan Bhaiya alleged fake encounter case.
Sharma was sacked by the state government from service in 2008 for his alleged links with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim gang and his role in the encounter case.
A sessions court in 2013 acquitted Sharma in the alleged fake encounter case. He was reinstated in the police force in 2017.
After serving at the DG control room for few days, Sharma was made senior police inspector of the AEC of Thane Police.
Speculations are that Sharma will contest the upcoming assembly elections from Nallasopara in Palghar against Bahujan Vikas Aghadi MLA Kshitij Thakur.
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