Mumbai, July 19: Senior Mumbai police inspector Pradeep Sharma, who has more than 100 encounters to his name and involved in as many as 312 encounters, has resigned for Maharashtra police. Sharma, currently posted in Thane Crime Branch, sent his resignation to superiors, fuelling speculations that he may join politics.

According to reports, the 'encounter specialist' is likely to contest in upcoming assembly elections in the state on a Shiv Sena ticket from Andheri or Nallasopara constituency. Sharma, who was to retire in May 2020, resigned on June 4. Aaditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena To Begin 4,000-KM Jan Ashirwaad Yatra Ahead of Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2019.

Sharma was recently inducted into service after few years of suspension. He was suspended for his alleged involvement in the fake encounter of alleged gangster Ramnarayan Gupta alias Lakhanbhaiya. Sharma and other 13 cops were arrested and later suspended in 2008. He was acquitted of all the charges by Mumbai court in 2014 and was reinstated in 2017.

After appointed as head of Thane Crime Branch, Sharma arrested underworld don Dawood's brother Iqbal Kaskar in January 2018 and busted an extortion racket operating in the city.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2019 09:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).