Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, on Friday, 25 June, claimed that the corruption allegations levelled against him by former Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh are "false" and asked why did Singh not make the allegations before he was removed from post.
His remark came after his personal secretary Sanjeev Palande and personal assistant Kundan Shinde were, as per India Today, picked up by the Enforcement Directorate for questioning, in connection with an alleged money laundering case. The ED, on Friday also raided his residences, both in Nagpur, as well as in Mumbai.
"You know Param Bir Singh made false allegations against me after he was removed from the post of Mumbai Police Commissioner because his role was very suspicious. Why didn't he level allegations when he was still holding the post?"Anil Deshmukh
The case pertains to allegations of corruption levelled by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh against Deshmukh in March 2021.
Meanwhile, as per media reports, the ED also recorded dismissed Mumbai Police officer Sachin Vaze's statement in Taloja jail in connection with corruption charges levelled against Deshmukh by Singh.
'This Isn't New': Sharad Pawar
Meanwhile, reacting to the raid at Deshmukh's residences, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has, as per ANI, said that this is not new for them.
"This isn't new for us.Attempts were made against others too. Central agencies had eyes on his son's business but got nothing as far as I know hence they trying to create problems for his family at other places.Don't need to worry"
He Will Soon Be in Jail: BJP's Kriti Somaiya
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya tweeted “ED raided CM Uddhav Thackeray's Vasooli Minister Anil Deshmukh residence. I am sure in few days he will be in Jail. Another VASOOLI Minister Anil Parab will follow Anil Deshmukh.”
Param Bir Singh's Letter
In his letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Singh had accused Deshmukh of corruption, extortion, meddling in the transfers within the force, and directing investigations to be conducted according to his will, among other allegations.
Singh also challenged his transfer to the Home Guard Department by the Maharashtra government, in the backdrop of the Mukesh Ambani bomb scare case and his alleged proximity with former API Sachin Vaze, who was arrested in the case.
Allegations Made by Singh Against Deshmukh
Singh has alleged that he was transferred to the Home Guard Department after he brought the alleged corrupt practices of Deshmukh in the knowledge of senior state leaders, including Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
Singh claimed that Deshmukh held meetings with junior police officers, including Vaze, and instructed them to accumulate Rs 100 crore every month.
Singh claimed that he was pressurised by Deshmukh to allegedly implicate certain BJP leaders in the suicide of MP Mohan Delkar in Mumbai and give it a political angle.
In the petition, Singh alleged that Rashmi Shukla, former Commissioner Intelligence, in August 2020, had brought to the notice of the Director-General of Police the alleged corrupt malpractices in postings and transfers by Deshmukh based on telephonic interceptions.
Singh accused Deshmukh of interfering in various investigations and instructing police officers to conduct probes in a particular manner as desired by him.
(With inputs from India Today and ANI)
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