Maharashtra sees no improvement in law and order for 30 years

The murder of former MLA and Corporator Baba Siddique alias Ziauddin Siddique has once again highlighted the pathetic law-and-order situation in Maharashtra, which hasn't improved in more than three decades! Since the 1980s, the state’s law-and-order situation has repeatedly come under scrutiny. From organised crime in Mumbai to communal violence and political interference in policing, the state’s challenges in ensuring law enforcement and public safety remain largely unchanged. 

Despite promises by successive governments, the persistence of violence, crime syndicates, and politicised policing reflects a systemic problem that hinders the province’s aspirations of becoming a model state.

Nexus of politics and crime in Maharashtra

In the 1980s and '90s, Mumbai earned an unwelcome reputation as a hotbed of organised crime. Gangsters like Dawood Ibrahim and Arun Gawli dominated the city’s underworld. Politicians from multiple parties were often accused of covert ties with these criminal networks, turning law enforcement into a puppet of vested interests. The politicisation of the police was evident in how officers were shuffled or dismissed based on their loyalty to political factions rather than performance.

Fast forward to the present, and the politicisation of policing remains a core issue. A glaring example is the 2020-2022 saga involving Param Bir Singh, the former Mumbai Police Commissioner, and Sachin Vaze, a police officer with a murky past. Vaze’s re-induction into the force under questionable circumstances reflected a continuity of the state's reliance on individuals with controversial backgrounds for politically charged operations. The episode ended with Singh levelling corruption charges against then-Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, underlining how policing in Maharashtra remains deeply intertwined with politics.

The murder of #BabaSiddique has once again highlighted the pathetic #LawAndOrder situation in #Maharashtra, which hasn't improved in three decades! pic.twitter.com/lI15tDjqdq

— The Squirrels (@thesquirrelsin) October 14, 2024

Communal flashpoints and unchecked violence

Communal violence has also been a persistent challenge. The 1992-93 riots following the Babri Masjid demolition were a tragic turning point in the state’s history, especially for Mumbai. The riots, which resulted in over 900 deaths, exposed serious lapses in policing and raised questions about the impartiality of the law-enforcement machinery.

Unfortunately, the communal fault lines have not disappeared. Recent incidents in places like Kolhapur and Pune highlight how religious tensions are still exploited for political gains, leading to sporadic violence. In many cases, police responses have been criticised for either being slow or skewed, reinforcing public mistrust in the system’s ability to act fairly.

Economic crimes and rise of white-collar offences

In addition to organised crime and communal unrest, the state has seen an increase in economic and white-collar crimes since the 1990s. With Mumbai being the financial capital of India, it is no surprise that scams involving corporations, banks, and politicians have become frequent. The collapse of the Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank in 2019 serves as a grim reminder of regulatory lapses and financial frauds that affect common citizens. The lack of accountability in cases involving politically connected individuals continues to undermine public trust.

Even more troubling is how these financial scandals overlap with the Marathi state’s political landscape. The Enforcement Directorate’s increasing involvement in investigating political leaders for money laundering has become a new battleground, with allegations of selective targeting. This reinforces the narrative that the law is used not as an instrument of justice but as a tool for political manoeuvring.

Policing reforms: Dishonoured promises

Despite the clear need for policing reforms, little has changed over the decades. Various committees and commissions—such as the Ribeiro Committee and the Supreme Court-mandated directives for police reforms—have proposed changes to reduce political interference and improve accountability. However, the implementation of these reforms remains slow and uneven. Governments, irrespective of their political affiliations, have resisted relinquishing control over police transfers and postings, leaving officers vulnerable to political pressures.

The result is a police force that struggles with public perception, morale, and operational efficiency. Officers often face conflicting expectations: they are expected to act as neutral enforcers of the law while also being used as tools to further the interests of those in power.

Vicious cycle of injustice

The enduring law-and-order crisis in Maharashtra has trapped citizens in a cycle of fear and injustice. Criminal activities flourish under political patronage, while incidents of violence, both communal and otherwise, remain poorly managed. Economic offenders continue to exploit regulatory loopholes, and the police force is left overstretched and demoralised.

The impact of these issues goes beyond the headlines. Businesses suffer from uncertainty, investors are hesitant, and citizens — especially those in marginalised communities — continue to feel insecure. The absence of meaningful reforms has ensured that the provincial law-and-order situation is marked more by continuity than change.

Breaking the cycle of crises

The law-and-order challenges in Maharashtra are not just historical artefacts — they are deeply ingrained in the state’s political and social fabric. Addressing them requires more than just reactive policing or knee-jerk political responses. The state needs a comprehensive strategy that includes depoliticising the police force, addressing communal tensions proactively, and ensuring strict accountability for economic crimes.

The persistence of these issues across decades serves as a reminder that law and order is not just a matter of policing but of governance. Until the state’s leaders prioritise long-term reforms over short-term political gains, the state will remain trapped in a cycle where history keeps repeating itself.