Shaina NC writes to CM over lack of sheriff in Mumbai

BJP leader Shaina N.C. has written to the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding that the post of sheriff of Mumbai, which has been lying vacant for several years, be filled up as the incumbent will be a role model who will spread goodwill and enhance the image of the city across the globe. On receipt of the demand, Mr Fadnavis has directed the additional chief secretary of the general administration department to do the needful.

In the letter, Ms Shaina has said, “The post of Sheriff of Mumbai which is quite an important one has been lying vacant for over five years. The previous government made no effort to fill the post even though the office still has 31 people as staff.”

After the end of the tenure of the 154th sheriff Dr Indu Shahani, the duties of the sheriff that include protocol duties like receiving and seeing off state, national and international dignitaries, executing orders and warrants of the high court and civil court, conducting condolence meets for eminent personalities who have passed away and visiting jails have been carried out by deputy sheriff A.P. Ketkar. Mr Ketkar has been given additional charge as sheriff in the absence of a nominated individual to the post.

Stressing on the need for a sheriff for Mumbai, Ms Shaina further wrote, “Our government must look into this and appoint a role model who can be looked up to, and who will spread the goodwill and enhance the image of Mumbai across the globe.”

When asked about the same, former sheriff Dr Shahani said that while statutory duties were limited a large number of duties were what the individual brings with his or herself. “During my tenure as an academician I started the sheriff brigade and involved students to take up social causes,” she said.