News Analysis India

Tag: CBI

  • Deshmukh bribery scandal: CBI questions Sachin Waze, Param Bir Singh, Sanjay Patil

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The CBI questioned former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh and suspended police officer Sachin Waze on Thursday in connection with its preliminary inquiry into allegations of corruption against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh, officials said.

    Going full throttle on its inquiry in view of the deadline given by the Bombay High Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also questioned Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sanjay Patil, they said.

    Singh had reportedly written to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray that Deshmukh had called Patil to his residence, where his personal staff asked the police officer to target bars and restaurants in the millennium city to collect about Rs 50 crore, the officials said.

    Patil has reportedly claimed that he had met Deshmukh along with other officers to brief him about a raid, but had never met him after that.

    He is understood to have told the Mumbai police’s internal inquiry team that he met Waze in office, where the latter asked him about the collection of Rs three lakh each from bars.

    Patil has also claimed that he does not know about any meeting between Waze and Deshmukh, according to reports.

    The officers also met Mumbai-based lawyer Jayshree Patil, on whose petition the high court had ordered the preliminary inquiry by the CBI.

    The agency started its preliminary inquiry into allegations of bribery against Deshmukh on Tuesday on the orders of the high court.

    It sent a team of officers from Delhi to Mumbai to carry out the probe.

    API Waze, posted in the Crime Intelligence Unit of the Mumbai police, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a case related to the recovery of an explosives-laden sports utility vehicle (SUV) near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s house in the Maharashtra capital on March 25 and the subsequent killing of its owner, Mansukh Hiran.

    The CBI had taken permission from a special court to question Waze.

    Singh was transferred from the police commissioner’s post following Waze’s arrest by the NIA.

    After his transfer from the police commissioner’s post, he alleged that Deshmukh had asked police officers, including Waze, to extort Rs 100 crore from bars and restaurants.

    Singh had approached the Bombay High Court through a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking a CBI probe into the allegations of corruption against Deshmukh.

    A criminal writ petition was also filed by Jayshree Patil, on which the high court ordered the CBI probe and disposed of all other petitions related to the matter.

    On Monday, the high court gave 15 days to the central agency to conduct the preliminary inquiry into the allegations.

    A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G S Kulkarni said this was an “extraordinary” and “unprecedented” case that warranted an independent inquiry.

    In its 52-page judgment, the bench said Singh’s allegations against Deshmukh had put the citizens’ faith in the state police at stake.

    Such allegations, made by a serving police officer against the state home minister, could not be left unattended and were required to be probed if, prima facie, they made out a case of a cognizable offence, the court had said.

  • SC dismisses pleas of Maharashtra govt, ex-minister Anil Deshmukh against CBI probe in graft case

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: In a setback to Maharashtra government and its former home minister Anil Deshmukh, the Supreme Court Thursday dismissed their pleas challenging the Bombay High Court order directing a CBI probe into allegations of corruption and misconduct levelled against him by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh.

    “Looking at the personas involved and nature of allegations and seriousness of allegations, it requires investigation by an independent agency.

    It is a matter of public confidence,” a bench comprising Justices S K Kaul and Hemant Gupta said.

    “We don’t want to interfere with the orders of high court directing preliminary inquiry by CBI,” the bench said.

    It is only preliminary enquiry and nothing is wrong in it when serious allegations are made by senior officer against a senior minister, the bench said when counsel for Deshmukh alleged that oral allegations were made without any substance and CBI probe was ordered without hearing him.

    The bench said that two persons involved in the case were the police commissioner and the home minister and they were working together till they fall apart.

    Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Maharashtra, said that it was aggrieved by CBI probe as the consent for it was withdrawn by the state earlier.

    Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Deshmukh, argued that court has to stay on guard when allegations are made and probe is sought against a constitutional machinery.

    He said there should be some material for levelling allegations.

    After the high court order on April 5, Deshmukh, a veteran politician and NCP leader from Vidarbha, had resigned from the state government.

    In its plea filed in the apex court, the Maharashtra government had questioned the procedure adopted by high court saying the state was heard on question of maintainability of the pleas seeking CBI investigation against Deshmukh on allegation of corruption, and the order too was reserved on that issue, but the court finally ended up directing the probe.

    In his appeal, Deshmukh had said that the high court order raises issues of seminal importance which “impact not just the federal structure of the country, impact on our polity, but also the manner in which, and the institutions through which investigations are to be conducted”.

    He had said that without lodging an FIR, the court could have directed that an application be filed before the magistrate for investigation under section 156(3) of the CrPC.

    He had said that in the annals of judicial history, there has hardly been an occasion when the court has taken the statements made against a sitting minister at face value and proceeded to direct an outside agency, without calling for a response from the minister, to conduct a preliminary inquiry.

    “That presently, the CBI today is being headed by an interim director, the legality of which is also sub-judice before this court.

    This also is a factor that should have been taken into account, before the court passed the order that it did”, the plea had said.

    Deshmukh had also said the court must have been aware of the fact that the Maharashtra government had withdrawn its consent for the CBI to investigate matters in the territory of the state.

    Dealing with Param Bir Singh’s allegations, Deshmukh had said there is not an iota of substantive evidence that is placed before the court to even prima facie establish that any of the allegations made have an element of truth and is “pure hearsay”.

    Singh, in his plea filed on March 25, had sought a CBI probe against Deshmukh who, he claimed, had asked police officers, including suspended cop Sachin Waze, to extort Rs 100 crore from bars and restaurants.

    Deshmukh has denied any wrongdoing.

    Bombay-based lawyer Jayshree Patil, on whose criminal writ petition the high court had ordered the CBI probe, had on Tuesday filed a caveat in the top court seeking to be heard before any order is passed in the matter.

    In its 52-page judgement, the high court had said Singh’s allegations against Deshmukh had put at stake the citizen’s faith in the state police.

    Such allegations, made by a serving police officer, against the state home minister could not be left unattended, and were required to be probed into, if prima facie, they made a case of a cognisable offence, the high court had said.

    The high court’s verdict came on three PILs including one filed by Singh and a criminal writ petition filed last month, seeking several reliefs as also a CBI probe into the matter.

  • Corruption charges against Deshmukh: CBI summons Jaishri Patil to record statement

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: Complainant Dr Jaishri Patil has been called by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) again on Thursday at 1 pm to record a statement in connection with the corruption allegations levelled by former top cop Param Bir Singh against former Maharashtra Minister Anil Deshmukh.

    Earlier on Wednesday, Patil’s statement was recorded for over 3.5 hours.

    On petition of Patil, the Bombay High Court has asked the CBI director to conduct a preliminary inquiry within 15 days in connection with the case and to register an FIR if any cognisable offence is found.

    In response to this, Deshmukh filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, challenging the Bombay High Court order directing for a CBI’s preliminary probe against him, after hearing a petition filed by Jaishree Patil.

    The Supreme Court on Thursday will hear the petition filed by Anil Deshmukh, challenging the Bombay High Court order directing for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)’s preliminary probe against him.

    Deshmukh, in his petition, said that the Court (Bombay High Court) believed that the entire state machinery was untrustworthy, that no investigation, could have been made within the state by a state investigating agency, by referring to it as an “independent investigating agency”, knowing fully well that its credentials in the past are not such that the court can repose absolute faith in such an agency.

    It is therefore a matter of concern that the entire state machinery had been jettisoned and the normal process of law bypassed, in the exercise of power under article 226 of the Indian Constitution, Deshmukh said in his petition.

    Deshmukh sought a direction that the Apex Court should grant his SLP and grant him relief in the present case immediately.

  • CBI to quiz former Mumbai Police commissioner Param Bir Singh, suspended cop Sachin Waze

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The CBI will question former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh and suspended police officer Sachin Waze in connection with its preliminary enquiry into alleged corruption by former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, officials said.

    The agency had on Tuesday registered a preliminary enquiry into allegations of bribery against Deshmukh on the orders of the Bombay High Court, they said.

    A team of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers from Delhi have gone to Mumbai to carry out probe into the matter, they said.

    Waze was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the case related to the recovery of an SUV with explosives near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s house on March 25 and subsequent murder of its owner Mansukh Hiran.

    The central probe agency has taken necessary permissions to question Waze and will also meet Singh to get more specific details about his allegations against Deshmukh who had resigned on Monday after the Bombay High Court ordered a CBI inquiry into the matter, they said.

    Singh was transferred from commissioner’s post following the arrest of Waze by the NIA.

    After his transfer from coveted Mumbai Police Commissioner’s post, Singh has alleged that Deshmukh had asked police officers, including Waze, to extort Rs 100 crore from bars and restaurants.

    Singh had approached the Bombay High Court through a Public Interest Litigation seeking a CBI probe into allegations of corruption against Deshmukh.

     A criminal writ petition was also filed by Mumbai-based lawyer Jayshree Patil on which the High Court ordered CBI probe and disposed other petitions in the matter.

    The High Court, on Monday, had given 15 days to the CBI to conduct preliminary enquiry into the allegations, officials said.

    A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G S Kulkarni on Monday had said this was an “extraordinary” and “unprecedented” case that warranted an independent inquiry.

    In its 52-page judgement, the bench said Singh’s allegations against Deshmukh had put at stake the citizen’s faith in the state police.

    Such allegations, made by a serving police officer, against the state home minister could not be left unattended, and were required to be probed into, if prima facie, they made a case of a cognisable offence, the HC had said.

  • CBI seeks NIA court’s nod to question suspended cop Sachin Waze

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: The CBI on Wednesday approached a special NIA court here seeking permission to question suspended police officer Sachin Waze in connection with its preliminary enquiry into the allegations of corruption against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.

    Waze was arrested on March 13 in the case of an explosives-laden SUV found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s house in south Mumbai on February 25 and the subsequent death of Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiran.

    Waze is presently in the custody of the National Investigation Agency, which is conducting a probe into the case, and would be produced before the special NIA court on Wednesday.

    ALSO READ | Sachin Waze case: NIA seizes documents suggesting ‘bribes’ paid to ‘government officials’ month-wise

    The CBI on Wednesday filed an application before the special NIA court seeking permission to question Waze.

    The court will hear the application when Waze is produced for remand.

    Following an order of the Bombay High Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) late Tuesday night registered a preliminary enquiry (PE) to probe corruption allegations levelled by former Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh against Deshmukh.

    Singh was shifted from the post of Mumbai police commissioner to the Home Guards department on March 17.

    ALSO READ | Corruption charges against Deshmukh: CBI to record statement of complainant Jaishri Patil

    He later filed a petition in the HC seeking a CBI probe against Deshmukh, alleging that the NCP leader had asked Waze and other police officers to extort Rs 100 crore from restaurants and bars.

    Singh had also alleged corruption in police transfers and postings.

    The high court in its order on Monday said the CBI shall carry out an inquiry into the allegations within 15 days and then decide on further course of action.

    After the HC order, Deshmukh resigned as the state’s home minister.

    Both Deshmukh and the Maharashtra government have approached the Supreme Court challenging the HC’s order.

  • Corruption charges against Deshmukh: CBI to record statement of complainant Jaishri Patil

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will record a statement of complainant Dr Jaishri Patil in connection with the corruption allegations levelled by former top cop Param Bir Singh against former Maharashtra Minister Anil Deshmukh.

    On petition of Patil, the Bombay High Court has asked the CBI director to conduct a preliminary inquiry within 15 days in connection with the case and to register an FIR if any cognisable offence is found.

    In response to this, Deshmukh filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, challenging the Bombay High Court order directing for a CBI’s preliminary probe against him, after hearing a petition filed by Jaishree Patil.

    Deshmukh, in his petition, said that the Court (Bombay High Court) believed that the entire state machinery was untrustworthy, that no investigation, could have been made within the state by a state investigating agency, by referring to it as an “independent investigating agency”, knowing fully well that its credentials in the past are not such that the court can repose absolute faith in such an agency.It is therefore a matter of concern that the entire state machinery had been jettisoned and the normal process of law bypassed, in the exercise of power under article 226 of the Indian Constitution, Deshmukh said in his petition.

    Deshmukh sought a direction that the Apex Court should grant his SLP and grant him relief in the present case immediately.

  • CBI lodges preliminary inquiry to probe corruption allegations against Anil Deshmukh

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The CBI registered a preliminary inquiry on Tuesday to probe corruption allegations against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh, officials said.

    A team of of the central probe agency landed in Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon, collected all relevant documents and initiated the preliminary probe in compliance with a high court order.

    “CBI has registered a PE in the respect of the Bombay High Court order dated April 5, 2021,” CBI spokesperson RC Joshi said.

    The high court had given 15 days to the CBI on Monday to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the allegations, officials said.

  • ‘Only upright officers should head the force’: Julio Ribeiro on Param Bir fiasco

    Express News Service
    MUMBAI: Honesty and uprightness should be the criteria for anyone to be considered for appointment to the top post in the police department and not closeness to the political masters, former Mumbai police commissioner Julio Ribeiro (right) said.

    “People should really have the pressure over such thing, then only upright officers will be promoted and the black sheep will be exposed,” he said.

    Ribeiro said the CBI should probe the role of the police officers as well in the case involving Anil Deshmukh.

    “Some police officers are not blameless. They are equally responsible for the mess in the system. Otherwise, the CBI only targets Deshmukh for political mileage. It should not happen else this probe will not have any value.” 

    Meeran Borwankar, who retired as DG of BPRD and NCRB, said money is paid sometimes to police and politicians as well as both for getting posting of choice.

    “Occasionally and mostly during crisis periods, appointments are made on merit or honest officers are given important posts as a ‘window dressing’ exercise. This system has been adopted by all political parties.” 

    A sustained interest by citizens in administration and in the criminal justice system helps to remove the rot in the system, she said.

    “I would like all of us to acknowledge that this kind of money collection is across departments and by all political parties. … We must encourage and increase the critical mass of honest officers who can develop a strong voice instead of the forced silence they have resigned to as their fate today,” she said.

  • ‘Faith of citizens in police department at stake’: Bombay HC on Param Bir vs Anil Deshmukh matter

    Express News Service
    MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Stressing the fact that the very faith of citizens in the functioning of the police department is at stake, the Bombay High Court on Monday ordered that the serious nature of allegations made by former Mumbai Police commissioner Param Bir Singh against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, who resigned on Monday, warrants a preliminary enquiry by the CBI.

    “If there is any amount of truth in such allegations, certainly it has a direct effect on the citizens’ confidence in the police machinery in the state. Such allegations, therefore, cannot remain unattended and are required to be looked into in the manner known to law when, prima facie they indicate the commission of a cognizable offence,” a bench comprising Chief Justice Dipankar Dutta and Justice GS Kulkarni said while disposing of PILs.

    “There is certainly a legitimate public expectation of a free, fair, honest and impartial inquiry and investigation into such allegations which have surfaced in the public domain. The necessity to have a probe into such allegations by an independent agency, would also certainly be a requirement of the rule of law,” the bench observed in its 52-page judgment.

    Terming the allegations surrounding it a serious but strange, the bench said: “It is said that none can see time, but many a time it makes us see many things hitherto before unseen. So true. The proceedings of which we are seized lays bare incidents, allegations and approaches of a kind which, at least, the two of us have not experienced before. It is time that has made us realise that the realities of life would have to be examined to give shape to law, for, the law would cease to serve its purpose if justice cannot be administered. With such realisation in mind, we now proceed to complete the task at hand.”

    High Court cites the Constitution

    The court while citing the constitution said: “Rule of law, in terms of the Constitution, pervades over the entire field of administration and every organ of the State is regulated by it. What the Constitution envisages is a rule of law and not the rule of goons having political support.”

  • Dilip Walse Patil becomes Maharashtra Home Minister following Anil Deshmukh’s resignation

    Express News Service
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh resigned on Monday following the order of the Bombay High Court directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary inquiry within 15 days into allegations of corruption and misconduct made against him by former Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh. 

    The Bombay HC observed that charges against Anil Deshmukh are of a ‘serious nature”, which warrant a preliminary enquiry by CBI. “There is certainly a legitimate public expectation of a free, fair, honest and impartial inquiry and investigation into such allegations which have surfaced in the public domain,” the court observed. The CBI will submit its probe report in the next 15 days.

    After the order on Monday, Anil Deshmukh rushed to meet his party president Sharad Pawar and later deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar was also called for the meeting. “In the meeting, it was decided that the HC order of CBI probe is serious and it will not be right for Deshmukh to continue as the home minister. Once he steps down, he can approach the Supreme Court against the Bombay High Court order. Then, the NCP chief asked Deshmukh to submit his resignation to Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray,” said the source.

    Meanwhile, NCP MP Supriya Sule and state NCP president Jayant Patil were not in favour of sacking Anil Deshmukh. But Sharad Pawar rejected their arguments and asked Deshmukh not to waste more time and submit the resignations.

    “There is a limit to defend someone. We cannot let the credibility and public trust erode further. Deshmukh’s position was indefensible. Besides, prolonging this matter may damage them further,” said a NCP source.

    Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray accepted Anil Deshmukh’s resignation and forwarded it to the Governor for approval. The home ministry charge was given to close confident of Sharad Pawar, Dilip Walse Patil while his labour department charge was given to rural development minister Hasan Mushrif and excise to deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.

     Interestingly, the 64-year-old Dilip Walse Patil was the natural choice for home ministry when the Maha Vikas Aghadi was formed but that time Mr Patil was unwell and refused to accept the big responsibility. Therefore, the home ministry was handed over to low weighted Anil Deshmukh from Vidarbha on the insistence of Praful Patel and Supriya Sule. Dilip Walse Patil is the senior-most minister and closely worked with Sharad Pawar in past. Patil knows the law and he is a no-nonsense fellow. Earlier, he was also speaker of the Maharashtra state assembly and handled the House successfully and skillfully.