'In the Country,' Param Bir Singh Tells SC; Granted Protection From Arrest
The SC had asked Singh to disclose his whereabouts before agreeing to hear his plea for protection against arrest.
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The Supreme Court on Monday, 22 November, granted protection from arrest to former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh in the alleged extortion case and directed him to join the probe into the matter.
"The accused shall join investigation. Meanwhile he shall not be arrested," the top court said, according to Bar & Bench.
Earlier in the hearing, Singh's advocate told the SC that the IPS officer is very much in the country and not absconding, reported LiveLaw. Singh's advocate also stated that the former Mumbai Police chief can appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) within 48 hours.
Appearing for Singh, senior advocate Puneet Bali stated in court that the ex-police commissioner is hiding as he faces a threat to his life from Mumbai Police.
The lawyer reportedly added that the "moment he touches the land in Maharashtra he faces a threat from the Mumbai Police," in response to which the court asked how a former police chief could feel threatened by the force he led.
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear Singh's plea and issued notice to the Maharashtra government and CBI. The matter has now been posted for hearing on 6 December, reported news agency ANI.
The apex court also noted on Monday that the facts of the case are very disturbing, adding that the fight between the former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and Singh has become "curiouser and curiouser".
What Happened at the Last Hearing?
The Supreme Court on Thursday had asked Singh to disclose his whereabouts before agreeing to hear his plea for protection against arrest.
"Where is Param Bir Singh?" a Supreme Court bench had asked when the petitions filed by him came before them, reported LiveLaw.
The bench had asked his lawyer to first reveal the IPS officer's whereabouts, making it clear that no hearing will take place and no protection will be granted if its query about location is not answered.
(With inputs from LiveLaw and ANI.)
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