The CBI will be probing into the 100-crore extortion case allegation levelled by ex-Mumbai Police chief against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. The CBI team is expected to interrogate former police commissioner Param Bir Singh in Mumbai, today.
Hours after the Bombay High Court on Monday ordered a CBI inquiry in the case, Deshmukh resigned from his position citing “moral grounds”. While later that night, he met senior Congress leader and lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
It is anticipated that the former Home minister can approach the Supreme Court and appeal against the CBI investigation.
Abhishek Dular to lead the CBI team
The CBI team is scheduled to investigate Param Bir Singh today, in Mumbai. The team is led by Abhishek Dular who is a 2006 batch IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre. An electronic engineer from IIT Delhi, Dular has handled the State Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau. He had served as the Superintendent of Police of Shimla, Mandi, Kullu and now has been entrusted with the responsibility to investigate this case.
10 questions that CBI might ask Parambir Singh:-
1. When and how did you get the information about extortion of Rs 100 crores, give details?
2. After Sachin Vaze was exposed, what was your first step?
3. Did you try stopping this extortion case or not? Why did you not file an FIR?
4. On what basis was Sachin Vaze re-appointed after being under suspension for 16 years? What was your role in this?
5. Despite being many senior officers in the crime branch, why was he made the head of CIU?
6. Neglecting protocol, why did he use to report to you directly?
7. Why did you hand over almost all the important cases to him, immediately after his re-joined?
8. Despite him being an Assistant Police Inspector, did you never suspect his high reach?
9. After getting the reports on the Antilia case, why was Sachin Vaze handed over the investigation despite no jurisdiction?
10. Were you pressurized by any political person to give special powers to Sachin Vaze?
Dilip Patil, new Maharashtra Home Minister
Dilip Walse Patil has been appointed as the new Home Minister of Maharashtra. On Monday, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray wrote a letter to the Governor recommending the resignation of Deshmukh, which was approved by the Governor.
NCP opposed Deshmukh’s resignation
Following Anil Deshmukh’s resignation, questions are being raised over the lack of coordination in the Maha government. It is being said that the Shiv Sena was seeking his resignation from long ago, but couldn’t take such a step due to NCP’s pressure.
NCP wanted to replace Deshmuskh’s ministry instead of taking immediate actions against him. After the order of CBI investigation by the High Court, CM Uddhav Thackrey has asked for a copy of the judgment and indicated taking some actions on the matter soon.
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Congress displeased
Congress, the ally in Maha Vikas Aghadi, is also unhappy with the political arrogance and partiality. A senior Congress leader on this case has said, “This is a three-party government. Whatever happens, all partners will have to bear the consequences. However, the Vaze-Deshmukh dispute is being considered as a matter of NCP. The NCP has consulted with CM Uddhav Thackrey because they had to but weren’t bothered about Congress’s opinion on the matter. If this is a political battle, then all three parties have to fight altogether. With Deshmukh’s resignation, it is hard to end the problems of MVA, rather it will increase further.”