SC asks Maharashtra to ‘stay its hand’ in Param Bir Singh case
The Hindu
The court listed the case on March 9 to hear arguments on the transfer of investigation of cases, including extortion and corruption, against the former Mumbai Police Commissioner to the CBI.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Maharashtra government to "completely stay its hand" against former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh while it takes a call on whether criminal cases registered against him should be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
A Bench led by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said the mutual distrust between Maharashtra and its once top police officer shows a "messy state of affairs".
The morass of accusations and criminal cases exchanged between the State and Mr. Singh was a "very unfortunate situation" and ultimately dented the confidence of the people in the police system.
Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, whom Mr. Singh had accused of corruption only in turn to face similar charges, is already under arrest for offences including money laundering.
"It is a messy state of affairs," Justice Kaul said.
The court listed the case on March 9 to hear arguments on the transfer of investigation of cases, including extortion and corruption, against Mr. Singh to the CBI.
"Meanwhile, you [Maharashtra] please completely stay your hand. We do not know if investigation has to be transferred to the CBI... We want and will take a final view on that," Justice Kaul addressed senior advocate Darius Khambatta, for the State.