New Delhi, Apr 8 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the pleas filed by the Maharashtra government and its former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh against the Bombay HC order directing a CBI probe against the latter, in connection with the 'extortion' allegations levelled against him by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh.
The Apex Court bench headed by Justice SK Kaul observed that the nature of allegations and personas involved needs an inquiry by an independent agency.
"It is a matter of public confidence. We are not inclined to entertain this. Dismissed," the bench stated.
"High officials of the State are involved in the matter. Whether it is A, B, C, or D, that is the matter of investigation", the court asserted.
The Special Leave Petition filed by the Maha Vikas Agadi government had sought to set aside the order of the High Court on Monday.
Terming the case as ‘extraordinary and unprecedented’, the Bombay High Court had asked the probe agency to complete their investigation within 15 days, after which the CBI director is at liberty to take further course of action.
Soon after the high court directives, Deshmukh resigned from the Home Minister post citing 'moral grounds.'
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray accepted his resignation on Monday evening.
On March 20, former Mumbai Commissioner of Police Param Bir Singh had alleged that Deshmukh had asked him to collect a total of Rs 100 crore every month from clubs and other places.
He had also accused the NCP leader of interfering in police's day-to-day affairs.
Singh was transferred by the Maharashtra government over a bomb scare at Mukesh Ambani residence.
UNI JW PS1655