BJP holds protest against Maharashtra Minister Anil Deshmukh
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a protest against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Sunday demanding the minister's resignation after a controversy erupted over the former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh's writing to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray accusing Deshmukh of running an extortion racket. The leader of opposition in Maharashtra Assembly, Pravin Darekar, led the protest with party workers outside the BJP office in Mumbai. Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday alleging that Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had indulged in "malpractices" and asked suspended API Sachin Waze to collect Rs 100 crore every month.
The allegations were made a day after Deshmukh had said that Param Bir Singh was moved out as Mumbai Police Commissioner so that cases pertaining to Waze were probed without obstruction. In the letter, Param Bir Singh, who has now been posted as Commandant General of Home Guards, said that he has been "made a scapegoat to divert attention from the actual wrongdoers".
HIGHLIGHTS
09:00 pm: There is no question of Anil Deshmukh's resignation. ATS is investigating (Antilia Case & Mansukh Hiren Case) and we believe the culprit will be punished: Jayant Patil, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
07:20 pm: Mansukh Hiren's death case has been solved: DIG Maharashtra ATS Shivdeep Lande. Suspended Mumbai Police constable Vinayak Shinde and Naresh Dhare, a bookie were arrested in connection with the death earlier today.
06:20 pm: Praful Patel, Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patel, Supriya Sule reach Sharad Pawar's residence.
05:50 pm: According to NCP sources, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh could be removed from his post. Jayant Patil or Dilip Valse Patil may replace Deshmukh.
05:00 pm: Sanjay Raut meets Sharad Pawar in Delhi.
03:33 pm: The two accused, arrested in connection with Mansukh Hiren death case, were presented in the court today, and have been directed to stay in ATS custody till March 30: Maharashtra ATS
02:58 pm: I think Maharashtra is governed by ‘Maharashtra Vasooli Aghadi’. It is shameful that the home minister is taking directions from an NCP minister. We demand CBI inquiry and his removal from the cabinet, says BJP National General Secretary CT Ravi
02:54 pm: Sharad Pawar created this govt (Maharashtra) hence he is defending them. Sachin Waze was brought back in service on orders of the Maharashtra chief minister and home minister only. Pawar Sahab is fleeting away from the truth, says Devendra Fadnavis
02:49 pm: Before Param Bir Singh, Maharashtra DG Subodh Jaiswal had submitted a report to Maharashtra Chief Minister regarding corruption over police transfers, but CM didn't act on it. Hence, DG Jaiswal had to resign from his post, says Devendra Fadnavis
02:34 pm: Devendra Fadnavis addresses media on Param Bir Singh letter case
02:28 pm: Will discuss with Uddhav Thackeray: Sharad Pawar on being asked if Anil Deshmukh will be removed as home minister
02:26 pm: Efforts are on to destabilise Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government in Maharashtra, but will prove futile: Sharad Pawar
02:23 pm: I don't know if efforts are being made or not to topple the Maharashtra government. All I can say is this will have no impact on the government, says Sharad Pawar
02:20 pm: Would suggest Uddhav Thackeray to seek former IPS officer Julio Ribeiro's help for looking into claims by Param Bir Singh: Sharad Pawar
02:12 pm: Why did Param Bir Singh speak up after being sacked? asks Sharad Pawar
02:08 pm: The Maharashtra chief minister has the full authority to take a decision regarding an inquiry on these allegations against the Home Minister, says Pawar
02:06 pm: It was Param Bir Singh who decided to reinstate Sachin Waze in police force last year, says Sharad Pawar
02:01 pm: I was told Sachin Waze remained suspended for 16 years, even Masukh's wife has accused Waze for Mansukh's death, says Pawar
01:59 pm: The allegations against the Maharashtra Home Minister are serious, says Sharad Pawar
01:50 pm: NCP chief Sharad Pawar addresses press conference
01:19 pm: Sharad Pawar to address press conference shortly
01:14 pm: If Rs 100 cr was the target by Home Minister (Maharashtra) then what was the target by other ministers? Uddhav Thackeray’s govt has lost the moral authority to govern the State even for a day: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, in Patna
12:45 pm: Probe should be ordered to know if Deshmukh demanded money for himself or for the complete party, says Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad
12:42 pm: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad says investigations should be done in the case. Sachin Waze is keeping many more dark secrets with him, he says
12:38 pm: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad addresses media on Param Bir Singh 's 'letter bomb'; says "Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray shields and supports Sachin Waze."
12:33 pm: Anil Deshmukh should resign immediately. The main issue is that of an explosive-laden vehicle being found near the residence of an industrialist. I request the Central Government to intervene. The State government cannot investigate this matter: MNS chief Raj Thackeray
12:07 pm: MNS Chief Raj Thackeray demands thorough investigations into the case
11:56 am: Suspended Mumbai Police constable Vinayak Shinde and Naresh Dhare, a bookie arrested, in connection with Mansukh Hiren death case: Maharashtra ATS
11:13 am: Mumbai ATS arrests two person in Mansukh Hiren case; the accused will be produced in Thane holiday court at 2pm
11:04 am: Mumbai: Bharatiya Janata Party holds protest against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh
11:00 am: The letter (Param Bir Singh's letter to CM) is a reaction after Maharashtra chief minister and Home Minister decided to take a tough stand. There is no question of replacing Maharashtra Home Minister: Maharashtra Minister and State NCP President Jayant Patil
10:56 am: Mumbai police commissioner Hemant Nagrale meets Param Bir Singh at the latter's residence
10:51 am: BJP state president Chandrakant Patil demands Anil Deshmukh's resignation, demands probe against him
10:50 am: Home Minister Anil Deshmukh will not be removed, says Jayant Patil, adding, "the home minister is doing his job, there are no talks of his removal."
10:46 am: Nagpur: Police deployment outside the residence of Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh
10:41 am: Nagpur: Bharatiya Janata Party holds protest against Maharashtra Minister Anil Deshmukh
10:33 am: The letter to Maharashtra CM was sent from my email ID, says Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh
10:31 am: The letter from Param Bir Singh was received at 4:37 pm today via a different email address, not his official one and was without his signature. The new email address needs to be checked. Home Ministry is trying to contact him for the same: Chief Minister's Office, Maharashtra
10:24 am: A senior cop and a former police commissioner have written to the chief minister of the state raising serious questions and alleging Maharashtra HM. There should be a serious probe. If this is the state of Mumbai Police then you can imagine what the state of Maharashtra is: MoS Finance Anurag Thakur
10:17 am: Nagpur: Bharatiya Janata Party holds protest against Maharashtra Minister Anil Deshmukh
10:12 am: NCP core group meeting likely to be held in Delhi at 5 pm today
10:09 am: Security increased outside Param Bir Singh's residence
10:01 am: Reports say Sharad Pawar had taken cognizance of accusations levied on Anil Deshmukh, following which the Home Minister had issued a statement to the press
09:50 am: BJP stages protest, demands Anil Deshmukh's resignation over shunted top cop Param Bir Singh's allegations
09:45 am: Jayant Patil, Ajit Pawar likely to be a part of Maharashtra NCP core committee meeting, say sources
09:31 am: NCP chief Sharad Pawar is in Delhi, where he will meet several NCP leaders today
Param Bir Singh on Saturday wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray claiming Home Minister Anil Deshmukh's involvement in severe "malpractices".
However, Anil Deshmukh has refuted all the allegations made by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh against him. Deshmukh said the police officer made these false allegations to save himself from legal action.
Taking to Twitter, Deshmukh said, "Sachin Waze's direct links in Antilia Case and Mansukh Hiren case are coming forward. Param Bir Singh is afraid that its connections will reach up to him. He has made these false allegations to save and protect himself from legal action,"
Anil Deshmukh on Thursday said that NIA and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) are investigating Sachin Waze case very professionally and Param Bir Singh has been transferred as Mumbai Police Commissioner so that investigation can be done without any hindrance.
Param Bir letter: File corruption offence, says ex-IPS officer
Meanwhile, former IPS officer PK Jain on Saturday said an offence should be registered against Deshmukh under the anti-corruption Act.
"To my mind, an offence under the anti-corruption Act should be registered right away. Deshmukh has no right to continue in his position because if Param Bir Singh can be removed from his position for carrying out a fair probe, then I think by the same analogy the minister has no business to
continue in his position," Jain said.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) under court supervision should probe this matter, Jain said.
"Whether the charges are true or false is a different matter altogether," Jain said, adding police are always "under the thumb" of their political masters.
"Any officer who is liked by them is given plum postings. When I say plum posting they are all field postings, the 'desirable' postings. Any officer who does not listen to them, who does not tow their line, is always thrown on the sidelines," Jain said.
Also Read | Maharashtra CM's office says Param Bir's letter not from official email
