Mumbai Police constable dismissed after bunking work for three years

Sunil Madhukar Khadpe. Pic/By Special Arrangement

A constable attached to the Cuffe Parade police station, Sunil Madhukar Khadpe, has been dismissed from service after allegedly remaining absent without official permission for a total of 1162 days across multiple spells from 2020 to 2024. The dismissal order was issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Dr Pravin Mundhe recently.

According to the order, Khadpe was first found absent from August 9, 2020, to May 4, 2023 - a continuous period of 998 days. Despite repeated opportunities to explain his absence, officials said he allegedly continued the pattern and, despite receiving a warning, remained away from duty for two additional spells: July 28, 2023, to November 24, 2023 (120 days) and August 7, 2024, to September 19, 2024 (44 days).

During scrutiny of his service and leave records, senior officers reportedly observed that Khadpe had developed a "habitual pattern of unauthorised absence." This led to the initiation of a departmental inquiry on January 3, 2025, said an officer. After the inquiry report was submitted and necessary approvals were granted, the DCP issued a formal dismissal order in the last week of October this year. Prior to this, Khadpe had failed to show up for duty altogether, and when his colleagues visited the constable's home, he was nowhere to be found.

In the first week of November, when a police team visited Khadpe's residence to serve the dismissal order, he was not at home. As per the procedure, the order was subsequently pasted on the front portion of his residence in the presence of two independent witnesses, and a panchnama was drawn, an officer.

The order states that Khadpe shall be considered "dismissed from service" with effect from the date the final order was pasted at his home. Police sources said all units concerned have been informed of the dismissal and instructed to initiate further administrative processes as required. As the constable had various kinds of leave, he was paid for about 60 days off. A senior officer said disciplinary action had to be taken against the constable to set an example.

998 days
Duration of Khadpe's first leave spell