Mumbai: Bombay HC on Monday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to start a preliminary inquiry within 15 days into corruption allegations of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.
While hearing Dr Jaishri Patil's plea, the Court stated that Anil Deshmukh is the Home Minister and no impartial probe can be done by the police.
Also read: Court to pronounce order on Param Bir Singh's plea on April 5
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Petitioner Dr Jaishri Patil said "Bombay High Court has asked the CBI director to conduct a preliminary inquiry within 15 days and to register an FIR if any cognizable offence is found".
Jayshree Patil had sought a direction to the CBI or "any other independent agency" to conduct an "unbiased, uninfluenced, impartial and fair" probe in the "various corrupt malpractices of Anil Deshmukh" as alleged by Param Bir Singh.
Also read: Why you didn't approach police against Deshmukh? HC asks Param Bir Singh
The bench was presiding over three public interest litigations, including one filed by Singh himself, another by city-based lawyer Jayshree Patil, and the third by teacher Mohan Bhide, seeking various reliefs. The bench disposed of all the three pleas.
On March 25, Singh filed a criminal public interest litigation seeking a CBI probe against Deshmukh, who he claimed asked police officers, including suspended cop Sachin Waze, to collect Rs 100 crore from bars and restaurants. The minister has denied any wrongdoing.
Read: Maha: AEC takes gangster Lakdawala into custody in extortion case
With inputs from PTI
