Court hears separate cases related to former Maharashtra Home Minister and Mumbai Police Commissioner
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to grant relief to both former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh and former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh in separate cases, observing that “these persons who once held top positions”. Now facing serious charges.
Mr. Deshmukh is accused of money laundering. He is being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Mr Singh was recently declared a fugitive in corruption and extortion cases.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal for Mr Deshmukh said the person who filed the complaint against him – Mr Singh – is himself an absconder.
Solicitor General for CBI Tushar Mehta countered that Mr Deshmukh himself was “untraceable” to the CBI and the ED for a period.
The court refused to entertain Mr Deshmukh’s plea that the CBI should produce the records of the case including legal opinion and preliminary inquiry report.
Mr. Sibal failed Prima facie Explain to the court that the case against the former minister was baseless.
“Just because that person has been a minister, we have to consider these petitions?” Justice Kaul while dismissing the plea of Mr. Deshmukh said.
Later in the day, the same bench considered a petition filed by Mr Singh and asked him to disclose his location for the safety of the court.
“Yours [Mr. Singh’s] The petition has been filed by your power of attorney holder. Where are you? are you in the country Out of the country?” Justice Kaul asked Mr Singh’s lawyer.
Mr Singh’s lawyers said he would have to check with the power of attorney holder who filed the petition on behalf of the former top cop.
“You have not joined any investigation and you are seeking protection. Our suspicion may be wrong… but if you are somewhere abroad and waiting for our orders, how can we give it? No security, no hearing until we have the answer to the question – where are you? Justice Kaul said firmly.
“If I’m allowed to breathe, I can walk out of the hole,” the lawyer replied, asking for time until Monday.
The court again adjourned Mr Singh’s case to November 22.
,