Bombay HC orders preliminary CBI probe against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh

Bombay HC on Monday asked CBI to start a preliminary inquiry within 15 days into the corruption allegations against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, ANI reported. CBI will file an FIR if any cognizable offence is found.

On Monday, the court heard Mumbai-based lawyer Dr Jaishri Patil’s plea regarding allegations of Param Bir Singh and said that Anil Deshmukh is the Home Minister and no impartial probe can be done by the police, ANI reported. 

Singh had submitted a PIL stating that Deshmukh held meetings with police officers at his residence in February where he told them to collect Rs 100 crore every month from bars and restaurants.  

“We agree with Jaishri Patil that directions are required to order an unbiased probe to unearth the truth. There can be no independent probe if it is given to Police as Deshmukh is HM. The interest of justice will be done if the Director of CBI is allowed to conduct a preliminary inquiry. Such preliminary inquiry is ordered in accordance with law and be concluded within 15 days,” a bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Girish S Kulkarni said on Monday, The India Express reported.