Param Bir Singh moves to Bombay HC Seeking CBI Probe against Anil Deshmukh

WHO IS ANIL DESHMUKH?

• Anil Deshmukh, is the currently the Home Minister of Government of Maharashtra from the NCP representing Katol (Vidhan Sabha constituency).
• Deshmukh also served as the Minister of Food & Civil supplies and Consumer affairs and Minister of Public Works Department in Government of Maharashtra.
• As a Home Minister, he declared Rs 50 lakh ex-gratia to the families of police personnel who lost their lives in the fight against coronavirus.

WHY IS A PIL FILED AGAINST HIM?

• The Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh has filed a criminal PIL in the Bombay High Court seeking a CBI inquiry against the alleged ‘corrupt malpractices’ of Anil Deshmukh.
• Consequently, Deshmukh is under fire after Param Bir Singh alleged that the Minister had summoned police officer Sachin Vaze around mid-February and asked him to help with 'collection' of money from hotels and bars in Mumbai.

PETITIONER’S ARGUMENTS

• The petitioner Singh, who was shunted out from the Mumbai Police Commission in the wake of Ambani bomb scare case, has prayed that transfer of police officials are neither done on any consideration of pecuniary benefits to any politicians nor in contravention of the guidelines issued.
• In his petition Singh has submitted that Deshmukh had been holding meetings in February, 2021 at his residence with police officers including Sachin Vaze of Crime Intelligence Unit, Mumbai and Sanjay Patil, ACP Social Service Branch, Mumbai, bypassing their seniors and had instructed them that he had a set a target to accumulate Rs. 100 crores every month and had directed to collect money from various establishments and other sources.
• He further claimed that on or about 24th/25th August 2020, Rashmi Shukla, the Commissioner Intelligence, State Intelligence Department had brought to the notice of the Director General of Police, who in turn brought it to the knowledge of the Chief Secretary Home Department, Government of Maharashtra about corrupt malpractices in postings / transfers by Shri. Anil Deshmukh based on a telephonic interception. "She was shunted out rather than taking any firm action against the persons involved."

RESULTS

• Shri. Anil Deshmukh, who has denied the allegations against him did meet Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday evening.
• In wake of these accusations, BJP has held protests demanding the State Home Minister's resignation.
• Consequently, in the aftermath of the letter, the State Government is planning to launch an inquiry against Shri Anil Deshmukh, who has denied the allegations made against him.

What do you think about the accusations in the PIL by Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh? Let us know in the comments section below!