Ex-Top Cop Can Probe Corruption Claims: Sharad Pawar On Anil Deshmukh

The investigator Sharad Pawar suggested was Julio Ribeiro - the former Mumbai top cop, who eventually became the chief of Gujarat and Punjab police and eventually named India's ambassador to Romania.

Nationalist Congress chief Sharad Pawar has advised a special investigation into former Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh's allegations against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. The investigator he suggested was Julio Ribeiro - the former Mumbai top cop, who eventually became the chief of Gujarat and Punjab police and eventually named India's ambassador to Romania. "Julio Riberio's credibility is such that no one can interfere or influence his investigation," Mr Pawar said amid a huge political storm unleashed by a letter of Mr Singh - sent immediately after he was transferred to the Home Guards. Mr Pawar, a key ally in the ruling Maharahtra Vikas Aghadi, questioned the timing of Mr Singh's allegations. Pointing out that the officer spoke only after he was moved out, Mr Pawar said the allegations are lacking in substance. "The timing of these allegations against Anil Deshmukh has to be looked into. Why now? Param Bir Singh has made all these allegations after he was transferred," Sharad Pawar told reporters in Delhi.