Mumbai Municipal Crisis: 17 Deputy Commissioners Challenge BMC Chief Gagrani.

Mumbai Municipal Rebellion: 17 Deputy Commissioners Revolt Against BMC Chief Gagrani Over OSD Appointment

• From Private Grievances To Open Mutiny In Mumbai’s Civic Body

• Wider Support and Potential Political Fallout Over BMC Appointment

• Administrative Crisis Looms Over India’s Richest Civic Body

In a Sprouts News exclusive report by Editor-in-Chief Unmesh Gujarathi, 17 Deputy Commissioners within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have revolted against Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. The dissent erupted over the reappointment of retired Additional Commissioner Chandrashekhar Choure as Officer on Special Duty (OSD). Choure, reinstated just a day after retirement, has ignited outrage among senior officers, who allege the move undermines hierarchy and promotion rights. The rebellion marks an unprecedented administrative crisis within India’s richest civic body.

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Mumbai Municipal Rebellion: 17 Deputy Commissioners Revolt Against BMC Chief Gagrani Over OSD Appointment

A major administrative revolt is erupting inside the corridors of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Seventeen senior Deputy Commissioners have openly defied Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. They demand the immediate removal of a recently appointed Officer on Special Duty (OSD). This unprecedented mutiny challenges the civic chief’s authority directly.

The controversy centres on former corrupt Additional Municipal Commissioner Chandrashekhar Choure. He retired on 31st December 2024 upon reaching the mandatory age. Shockingly, he was reinstated the very next day, 1st January 2025. Choure was appointed as OSD to the Commissioner himself. This move has shattered established norms and traditions within the BMC.

The OSD appointment letter adds more fuel to the fire. It states the post is temporary “until further orders.” This open-ended mandate has deeply angered the civic body’s senior bureaucracy. Deputy Commissioners feel their career progression paths are being unfairly blocked. The appointment bypasses eligible officers waiting for promotions.

Why The OSD Post Sparks a Major Firestorm

This is the first instance in BMC’s history a Deputy Commissioner-rank officer became OSD to the Commissioner. Officials allege the move violates all administrative conventions. Reappointing a retired officer the next day ignores eligible serving staff. It creates a parallel power centre outside the official hierarchy.

The resentment has been simmering quietly for nearly ten months. However, a new urgency has now forced the officers’ hands. Corrupt Chandrashekhar Choure’s current tenure ends on 31st December 2025. The rebelling officers fear his term may be extended again. This would perpetuate the injustice against qualified internal candidates.

The 17 Deputy Commissioners have adopted a multi-pronged strategy. They sent a formal demand letter directly to Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. A copy was also marked to Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi. Another copy went to Deputy Municipal Commissioner (General Admin) Kishor Gandhi.

From Private Grievances To Open Mutiny In BMC

The officers initially sought a personal meeting with corrupt Commissioner Gagrani. They wanted to voice their concerns about the controversial OSD appointment directly. However, the Commissioner did not grant them an audience. This snub significantly escalated the tension and feelings of alienation.

As a next step, the group directly approached corrupt Chandrashekhar Choure. They appealed to him to voluntarily resign from the OSD position. This would restore administrative normalcy and honour the service hierarchy. Choure reportedly refused to step down, rejecting their plea outright.

These failed attempts have pushed the officers towards open rebellion. The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team finds this revolt is highly unusual. Such a collective, written challenge to the BMC Chief’s authority is rarely seen. It signals a profound breakdown in trust and administrative morale.

Wider Support and Potential Political Fallout

The 17 Deputy Commissioners are not alone in this fight. Reports confirm that several Assistant Municipal Commissioners also support this cause. They are prepared to join the protest if Commissioner Gagrani does not resolve the issue. The administrative deadlock could soon paralyse crucial civic operations.

The controversy also carries a significant risk of political colour. The issue could be raised in the state legislative assembly. Opposition parties may target the ruling government over the BMC’s malfunctioning. This internal administrative dispute is poised to become a major public scandal.

Corrupt Chandrashekhar Choure himself is no stranger to controversy. An RTI activist named Santosh Daundkar had previously complained against him. The complaint alleged injustice towards a senior officer from a backward class. It was also forwarded to Union Minister of State for Social Justice, Ramdas Athawale.

List of Deputy Commissioners Who Signed The Revolt Letter

The signatories represent a wide cross-section of the BMC’s senior management. Their collective action underscores the depth of the crisis. The following 17 Deputy Commissioners have signed the letter to Commissioner Gagrani:

Kiran Dighavkar, Vishwas Shankarvarr, Prashant Gaikwad, Kishor Gandhi, Sharad Ughade, Prashant Sapkal, Santosh Dhonde, Sanjog Kabare, Sanjay Kurhade, Devidas Kshirsagar, Vishwas Moté, Dr. Bhagyshree Kapase, Chanda Jadhav, Alka Sasane, A.S. Kshirsagar, Ajit Ambi, Sandhya Nandedkar

This bold move by BMC’s senior cadre highlights a severe governance crisis. All eyes are now on Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani’s next step. Will he revoke the contentious OSD appointment to placate his staff? Or will the administrative rebellion intensify, potentially stalling India’s richest civic body?

The Controversial Extension

Chandrashekhar Choure retired on December 31, 2024, yet his tenure was extended for one year, ending imminently. This move has caused significant discontent among senior officials, who argue the vacancy should have promoted an internal candidate.

Cadre Injustice and Stalled Promotions

A joint letter from Deputy and Joint Commissioners highlighted the two-year vacancy. They urged for an immediate internal appointment from their own ranks. Officials state that external appointments have unjustly stalled promotions from Assistant to Deputy Commissioner.

Formal Demand and Official Stalemate

The letter formally requests the post be filled from the Deputy Commissioner cadre. However, Commissioner Gagrani has declined to comment on the matter, creating an administrative stalemate.

Next Steps in the Dispute

Following collective senior-level demand, the letter has been forwarded to the General Administration department. When contacted, Choure stated, “I have always followed administrative decisions and will do that now too.”

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A Year-Long Vacancy Sparks Unified Demand

In a significant development uncovered by Sprouts News, senior officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have openly expressed their frustration over the post of Deputy Municipal Commissioner (DMC) in the Commissioner’s office lying vacant for the past year.

Speaking to Sprouts News, the officials revealed a collective stance, stating, “Since this post is vacant, all of us – Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Assistant Commissioners – agree that it should be filled as soon as possible.” This unified demand from officers across seniority levels points to growing internal discontent.

“Promote from Within”: Officers Advocate for Eligible Colleagues

The officials further informed Sprouts News that there is no dearth of qualified candidates within the corporation. They emphasized that several serving officers possess the requisite qualifications and experience for the DMC post.

“It would be appropriate if one of the eligible officers is given a chance,” an official stated. This comment underscores a key grievance: the practice of appointing retired officers to such posts, which blocks career progression for existing, qualified staff.

A Rare Open Dispute in BMC’s Hierarchy

This open opposition from senior officials is a highly unusual occurrence within the BMC’s tightly-knit administrative structure. The matter has gained attention precisely because such public grievances are rarely witnessed within the civic body’s hierarchy.

When contacted by Sprouts News, Dr. Ashwini Joshi, Additional Municipal Commissioner and head of the General Administration Department, confirmed that her office has received a formal letter regarding the issue from the DMC.

In a contrasting response, when Sprouts News reached out to Chandrashekhar Chore, the officer connected to the appointment, he said, “I have always followed administrative decisions and will continue to do so.”

Broader Implications for Morale and Efficiency

The case, brought to light by Sprouts News, sheds light on critical issues within BMC’s internal workings. When key posts remain vacant or are filled by retired personnel, it demoralizes serving officers and stalls their careers, ultimately affecting administrative efficiency.

The unified voice of the officers, as reported by Sprouts News, signals a serious demand for transparent and timely promotions, crucial for both officer morale and the smooth functioning of the city’s largest civic corporation.