Don't question Mumbai cops' ability to handle Sushant case CM

    (Eds: Updates with fresh quotes)
    Mumbai, Jul 31 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav
Thackeray on Friday said he deplored attempts to question the
efficiencyof the Mumbai police in handling the probe into the
death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
    He said the state police were capable of probing the
case, an assertion which comes in the backdrop of growing
clamour for a CBI probe in the actor's death here in June.
    Thackeray lashed out at Leader of Opposition Devendra
Fadnavis, saying the BJP politician had doubted the
credibility of the Mumbai police in handling the case despite
being a chief minister for five years.
    "The opposition can even bring Interpol or followers
of the Namaste Trump event into the inquiry. Devendra Fadnavis
should understand that it is the same police whom he has
worked with in the last five years," Thackeray said at an
event organised by a Marathi news channel.
    Earlier in the day, Fadnavis said the Enforcement
Directorate (ED) should register an Enforcement Case
Information Report (ECIR) in connection with the money
laundering angle in the Sushant death case.
    There is a "huge public sentiment" about handing over
the case to the CBI, but the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas
Aghadi (MVA) government in the state has been reluctant to do
so, the former BJP chief minister said.
    Thackeray said the Mumbai police have been "corona
warriors" and many personnel in the force have died due to the
infection.
    To question their efficiency is an insult to them and
"I condemn this," he added.
    Thackeray said if anyone has any proof related to the
case, he/she can bring it to the Mumbai police.
    "We will interrogate and punish the guilty. However,
please don't use this case as a Maharashtra versus Bihar
issue. This is themost deplorable thing to do," he said.
    Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh recently said
Mumbai Police are capable of handling the matter and that
there was no need for a CBI probe into the case.
    The Mumbai police have recorded statements of
Bollywood personalities including Sanjay Leela Bhansali, film
critic Rajeev Masand, actress Sanjana Sanghi, the actor's
girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty, casting director Shanoo Sharma,
filmmaker Mukesh Chhabra, and Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films.
    The police have so far recorded statements of around
40 people, including those of Rajput's family and his cook.
    Rajput, 34, was found hanging at his apartment in
suburban Bandra on June 14.
    A Bihar police team is probing a separate 'abetment to
suicide' case on the basis of a complaint filed by the late
actor's father in Patna.
    Speaking at the event, the CM said he wasn't bothered
about stability of his government as long as he enjoys support
of the people of the state and Shiv Sainiks.
    "The BJP says our government is against the mandate.
Then is destabilising democratically-elected governments, a
mandate," he asked.
    Thackeray, who is also Shiv Sena president, was
speaking at an event organised by a Marathi news channel.
    He said the BJP and the Shiv Sena have "divorced" now
so the national party need not bother about what his outfit
does.
    "We were in a relationship with the BJP for 30 years,
but they did not trust us. But, those with whom we had
political differences for 30 years trusted us," Thackeray
said, referring to the NCP and the Congress, who are part of
the Shiv Sena-led government. PTI MR
RSY RSY

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)