14:56 April 05
Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh resigns
Mumbai:Soon after Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, who is facing allegations of corruption levelled by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, tendered his resignation, the National Congress Party (NCP) leader Dilip Walse Patil has been given charge of the department.
Earlier Patil was the minister for labour, and excise and now Ajit Pawar will be given charge of the department.
The developments come after Bombay High Court on Monday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to start a preliminary inquiry within 15 days into corruption allegations against Deshmukh by the former Mumbai Police Commissioner.
The court also directed the agency to register an FIR if any cognizable offence is found. The court also stated that Anil Deshmukh is the Home Minister and no impartial probe can be done by the police.
In his plea, Param Bir Singh repeated the graft allegations that he had made against Deshmukh in a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, and also accused the Maharashtra Home Minister of interfering in police investigations and involving in severe "malpractices".
Singh had earlier written a letter to Thackeray alleging that Deshmukh had indulged in "malpractices" and asked suspended Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Waze to collect Rs 100 crores every month.
(With inputs from ANI)