The controversy over former Mumbai top cop Param Bir Singh’s allegations of corruption against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, has landed at the doorstep of the Union home ministry. Leader of opposition in Maharashtra assembly and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has sought an MHA inquiry into charges of corruption in transfer and postings of Indian Police Service officers. The opposition BJP has already demanded a CBI probe into the matter.
Days after demanding resignation of Deshmukh, Fadnavis met Union Home Secretary A.K. Bhalla on Tuesday, submitting evidence of corruption in transfers and postings of police officers in the state.
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He said no action has been taken by the Maharashtra government, and so, demanded the intervention of the MHA.
The MHA is not only the cadre controlling authority for IPS, but also the administrative ministry for Indian Police Service, handling all service-related matters.
Bhalla is learnt to have assured Fadnavis that a thorough inquiry will be conducted in the matter. The police division is handled by the home secretary himself since the joint secretary who is handling police matters reports to him directly with no additional secretary in between.
However, the Union government continues to face multiple challenges. The Maharashtra government has taken a firm stand to block the CBI from taking suo motu investigation of cases in the state.
The state government had withdrawn its “general consent” to CBI last year, which has tied the Centre’s hands in handing over cases involving state government officials to the central agency.
However, with Param Bir Singh approaching the Supreme Court seeking a CBI inquiry, the Centre may escape a confrontation with the state government this time if the SC upholds his plea.
