Garrydum: new initial info more to come.

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{{Short description|Indian police service officer}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Sandeep Karnik
| image = File:Sandeep Karnik IPS.jpg
| image_size = 238 px
| office = Commissioner of Police, Nashik City
| term_start = 24 November 2023
| term_end =
| office1 = Joint Commissioner of Police, Pune
| term_start1 = 21 April 2022
| term_end1 = 22 November 2023
| office2 = Additional Commissioner of Police, Mumbai
| term_start2 = 31 July 2018
| term_end2 = 21 April 2022
| alma_mater = [[Mumbai University]], [[Pune University]], [[Osmania University]]
| education = {{hlist|[[Bachelor of Engineering|B.E.]]|[[Master of Business Administration|M.B.A.]]|MDPM}}
| birth_place =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|3|21|df=yes}}
| module = {{Infobox police officer
| embed=yes
| service = [[Indian Police Service]]
| service_label = Service
| department = [[Maharashtra Police]]
| service_years = 2004–Present
| rank = [[File:Insignia of Inspector General of Police in India- 2013-10-02 16-14.png|25px]] [[Inspector-general of police|Special IGP]]
}}
}}
'''Sandeep Karnik''' is an [[Indian Police Service|Indian police]] service [[officer]] from the 2004 batch, currently serving as the [[Commissioner of Police]] [[Nashik]]. Appointed by the [[Maharashtra government]], he took charge in November 2023. Sandeep Karnik also held the position of Joint Commissioner of Police in Pune, starting in April 2022. Before this, he served as the Superintendent of Pune Rural Police.<ref name="r820">{{cite web | last=Sonawane | first=Santosh | title=New 'CP WhatsApp' number to gather feedback on policing Nashik | website=The Times of India | date=28 December 2023 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/new-cp-whatsapp-number-to-gather-feedback-on-policing-nashik/articleshow/106335543.cms | access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref><ref name="v786">{{cite web | title=Pune: Joint Commissioner of Police Sandip Karnik transferred to Nashik | website=The Indian Express | date=21 November 2023 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/pune-joint-commissioner-of-police-sandip-karnik-transferred-to-nashik-9036749/ | access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref><ref name="s760">{{cite web | last=Pal | first=Pragati | title=Maharashtra Govt Appoints IPS Officer Sandeep Karnik as Head of SIT to Probe Maratha Quota Violence | website=News18 | date=11 March 2024 | url=https://www.news18.com/india/maharashtra-govt-appoints-ips-officer-sandeep-karnik-as-head-of-sit-to-probe-maratha-quota-violence-8811919.html | access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref>

==Early life & education==
Sandeep Karnik completed his Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Electronics from [[University of Mumbai]], an MBA in Marketing, and a Master’s in Police Management.

Currently serving as the Commissioner of Police, Nashik City, he assumed office in November 2023. He served in districts such as Ahmednagar, Thane, Nagpur, Jalna, and Nanded before being appointed as the Superintendent of Police for Pune Rural.<ref name="n374">{{cite web | title=People-police interact during 'CP at Your Doorsteps' event | website=The Times of India | date=13 February 2025 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/people-police-interact-during-cp-at-your-doorsteps-event/articleshow/118189813.cms | access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref>

==Career==
He has held several executive positions and has extensive experience in law enforcement. In his tenure as Nashik Police Commissioner, he gained recognition for his citizen-friendly initiatives and role in curbing drug-related activities.<ref name="s402">{{cite web | title=New Nashik CP Karnik to focus on citizen-friendly policing | website=The Times of India | date=25 November 2023 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/new-nashik-cp-karnik-citizen-friendly-policing/articleshow/105487061.cms | access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref><ref name="z219">{{cite web | last=Nikale | first=Prashant | title=Nashik Police Chase Smugglers For 25 KM, Nab One; Seize 28 KG Of Marijuana | website=Free Press Journal | date=8 January 2025 | url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/nashik-police-chase-smugglers-for-25-km-nab-one-seize-28-kg-of-marijuana | access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref>

In March 2024, the Maharashtra government appointed Karnik as the head of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the [[Maratha Kranti Morcha#Violence|Maratha quota violence]].<ref name="f912">{{cite web | last=Naik | first=Yogesh | title=State appoints IPS officer Sandeep Karnik as head of SIT to probe Maratha agitation | website=Hindustan Times | date=12 March 2024 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/state-appoints-ips-officer-sandeep-karnik-as-head-of-sit-to-probe-maratha-agitation-101710184255540.html | access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref><ref name="y737">{{cite web | title=Maratha quota violence: Maharashtra govt appoints IPS officer Sandeep Karnik as head of SIT | website=Mid-day | date=11 March 2024 | url=https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/maratha-quota-violence-maharashtra-govt-appoints-ips-officer-sandeep-karnik-as-head-of-sit-23339442 | access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref>

In October 2025, while serving as Nashik Police Commissioner, he initiated a policing operation called ''Nashik Jilla Kaydacha Ballekilla'', meaning “Nashik District, Fortress of Law.” The operation used [[focused deterrence]] and [[hot-spot policing]] methods. Police identified criminal gangs, extortion groups, and offenders with political links, and took coordinated action against them.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Nashik police's special campaign manages to deter criminals in city|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/nashik-polices-special-campaignmanages-to-deter-criminals-in-city/amp_articleshow/126258016.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=2026-02-01|issn=0971-8257|last=Sonawane|first=Santosh}}</ref>

== Notable cases ==

=== Ashok Kharat case ===
Karnik oversaw the police action in the case against Ashok Kharat, where women alleged sexual exploitation under the guise of spiritual and occult practices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=कौन हैं संदीप कार्णिक? महाराष्ट्र के तेजतर्रार IPS जिन्होंने 'कुंभनगरी' नासिक किए बैक टू बैक दो बड़े 'ऑपरेशन' |trans-title=Who is Sandeep Karnik? The IPS officer from Maharashtra who carried out two major back-to-back operations in ‘Kumbh city’ of Nashik. |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/maharashtra/pune/who-is-sandeep-karnik-maharashtra-2004-batch-ips-in-buzz-after-busted-tcs-conversion-case-and-godman-ashok-kharat-arrest-know-all/articleshow/130333246.cms |access-date=2026-04-27 |website=Navbharat Times |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pandit |first=Vinaya Deshpande |date=2026-04-26 |title=Ashok Kharat case: Oshnology and other deceptions of a godman |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/ashok-kharat-case-oshnology-and-other-deceptions-of-a-godman/article70898935.ece |access-date=2026-04-27 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Following complaints, the Nashik Police Crime Branch investigated, leading to a late-night arrest and multiple cases. A Maharashtra Government [[Special Investigation Team (India)|Special Investigation Team]] is now examining the complaints to ensure a coordinated probe into organized exploitation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shelke |first=Gitesh |date=2026-03-29 |title=SIT to seek forensic auditor appointment amid large cash transactions in Kharat cases |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/sit-to-seek-forensic-auditor-appointment-amid-large-cash-transactions-in-kharat-cases/articleshow/129871906.cms |access-date=2026-04-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

=== TCS Nashik workplace harassment case ===
In 2026, Karnik investigated a case involving allegations of sexual harassment, assault, and coercion at a [[business processing office]] of [[Tata Consultancy Services]] in Nashik.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dasgupta |first=Ranjan |date=2026-04-24 |title=Inside the TCS Nashik case: A deep dive into allegations, arrests and the unanswered questions |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tcs-nashik-case-what-we-know-so-far-allegations-arrests-and-questions-nida-khan-religious-conversion-mumbai-101776993015930.html |access-date=2026-04-27 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goyal |first=Prateek |date=2026-04-20 |title=TCS Nashik case: The complaints, the crowd and the FIRs |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/tcs-nashik-case-the-complaints-the-crowd-and-the-firs |access-date=2026-04-27 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> Multiple FIRs were registered and several accused, including team leaders, were arrested.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jain |first=Samidha |title=TCS Nashik Case Explained: FIRs, Arrests and POSH Compliance Questions |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/news/deep-dive/what-is-the-tcs-nashik-case-allegations-arrests-and-next-steps/2993095/1 |access-date=2026-04-27 |website=www.forbesindia.com |language=en}}</ref> An SIT was constituted by him to probe the matter, based on complaints from multiple women employees and supporting digital forensic evidences.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-04-13 |title=‘Victims allegedly forced to offer namaz, eat beef, sexually harassed’: What we know about Nashik IT firm case |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/victims-allegedly-forced-to-offer-namaz-eat-beef-sexually-harassed-what-we-know-so-far-about-nashik-it-firm-case-7-arrested/articleshow/130187754.cms |access-date=2026-04-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== Awards and recognition ==
[[File:Devendra_Fadnavis-Sandeep_Karnik.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Under Karnik, the Nashik Police Commissionerate ranked first in Maharashtra in the Chief Minister’s 150-day e-governance programme (2026), receiving the award from [[Chief Minister of Maharashtra|Chief Minister]] [[Devendra Fadnavis]]]]

* First rank for the Nashik Police Commissionerate in the Chief Minister of Maharashtra’s 150-day e-governance programme (2026).<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-01-29 |title=Nashik police commissionerate tops state govt’s 150 day e-governance reform programme |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/nashik-police-commissionerate-tops-state-govts-150-day-e-governance-reform-programme/articleshow/127731366.cms |access-date=2026-04-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==Controversies==

=== Maval firing incident ===
In August 2011, while serving as Superintendent of Police (Pune rural), a police firing incident occurred on the [[Mumbai-Pune Expressway]] (Maval).<ref name="c712">{{cite web | last=Kumar | first=Krishna | title=Six policemen suspended for firing on Pune farmers | website=India Today | date=12 August 2011 | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/west/story/six-policemen-suspended-for-firing-on-pune-farmers-139196-2011-08-11 | access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref> Following the incident in which four farmers died, allegations arose regarding the appropriateness of the use of force, with claims that the firing was unprovoked and not directed into the air.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-08-09 |title=Four killed in police firing on protesting farmers in Pune |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/four-killed-in-police-firing-on-protesting-farmers-in-pune/articleshow/9541795.cms |access-date=2025-05-06 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Within a month, the state government appointed judicial commission led by Justice M.G. Gaikwad.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-09-02 |title=Retired judge to probe Maval firing |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/retired-judge-to-probe-maval-firing/article2419079.ece |access-date=2025-05-06 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> But the commission found no direct evidence linking him to any injuries and recommended administrative action only against certain officers for excessive response, which the State Government accepted. The [[Bombay High Court]], while hearing petitions, too upheld this decision, confirming that due legal procedures were followed.<ref name="t136">{{cite web | title=Court refuses to interfere in state decision to let off ex-SP | website=The Indian Express | date=24 April 2015 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/court-refuses-to-interfere-in-state-decision-to-let-off-ex-sp/ | access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref><ref name="v875">{{cite web | last=Mahajani | first=Urvi | title=Maval firing: Bombay High Court calls for original report | website=DNA India | date=11 March 2015 | url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-maval-firing-bombay-high-court-calls-for-original-report-2067734 | access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref><ref name="b390">{{cite web | title=Karnik deposition,logbook entry raise doubts on firing order | website=The Indian Express | date=17 May 2012 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/karnik-deposition-logbook-entry-raise-doubts-on-firing-order/ | access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref><ref name="o735">{{cite web | last=Sequeira | first=Rosy | title=Clean chit to top cop in Maval firing not arbitrary : HC | website=The Times of India | date=23 April 2015 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/clean-chit-to-top-cop-in-maval-firing-not-arbitrary-hc/articleshow/47026606.cms | access-date=2 May 2025}}</ref>

=== Nashik Dargah demolition drive incident ===
On April 16, 2025, violence broke out in [[Nashik]] during a demolition drive targeting the Satpeer Baba Dargah, declared illegal by the Bombay High Court.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-16 |title=Clashes erupt in Nashik during demolition of unauthorised structure around dargah; 15 arrested |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/clashes-erupt-nashik-demolition-unauthorised-structure-dargah-arrest-9947123/ |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Clashes with police injured 21 officers.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-04-16 |title=Illegal dargah demolished in Nashik hours before SC stay; police deploy tear gas, lathis against stone-pelting protestors |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/21-cops-injured-in-violence-during-demolition-drive-at-nashik-dargah-15-persons-held/article69455839.ece |access-date=2025-05-06 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Despite the case being sub judice, the structure was demolished, prompting the Supreme Court to stay further action and demand an explanation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nikale |first=Prashant |date=17 April 2024 |title=Supreme Court Stays Action In Nashik's Saat Peer Baba Dargah Case |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/supreme-court-stays-action-in-nashiks-saat-peer-baba-dargah-case |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}}</ref> Karnik, as a Nashik Police Commissioner, noted intelligence about attempts to incite unrest prior to the incident, prompting preemptive police action.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nashik Dargah Clash: 21 Cops Injured as Mob Resists Demolition Drive |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/21-cops-injured-in-violence-during-demolition-drive-at-nashik-dargah-15-persons-held-3496136 |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> Subsequently, the [[Supreme Court of India]] allowed the Dargah Trust’s [[Special Leave Petitions in India|special leave petitions]] against the demolition notice to be withdrawn voluntarily.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Supreme Court stays demolition notice to Nashik dargah, seeks report from HC|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-stays-nashik-dargah-demolition-bombay-hc-report-9951798/|website=The Indian Express|date=2025-04-19|access-date=2026-02-01|language=en|last=Gokhale|first=Omkar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Supreme Court allows Nashik dargah to withdraw petition; high court may list matter this week if requested, says top court|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/supreme-court-allows-nashik-dargah-to-withdraw-petition-high-court-may-list-matter-this-week-if-requested-says-top-court/articleshow/120494887.cms|work=The Times of India|date=2025-04-21|access-date=2026-02-01|issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{authority control}}

== Further reading ==
*{{Cite news |last=Deshmukh |first=Chaitraly |date=13 August 2011 |title=Sandeep Karnik: An 'arrogant' gentleman |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-sandeep-karnik-an-arrogant-gentleman-1575437 |access-date=6 May 2025 |work=[[Daily News and Analysis]]}}
*{{Cite news |date=29 January 2026 |title=Nashik police commissionerate tops state govt's 150 day e-governance reform programme |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/nashik-police-commissionerate-tops-state-govts-150-day-e-governance-reform-programme/amp_articleshow/127731366.cms |access-date=1 February 2026 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}

[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian civil servants]]
[[Category:Indian police officers]]
[[Category:1975 births]]

Sandeep Karnik - Revision history

Garrydum: new initial info more to come.