CBI files FIR against Anil Deshmukh over corruption allegation

Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh was summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation on April 14 for questioning into a case dealing with allegations of corruption levelled against him by ex-Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday filed a first information report (FIR) against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh over allegations of corruption levelled by ex-Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh. The agency invoked the Prevention of Corruption Act and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) in filing the FIR and also raided his residence along with three other places in Mumbai in connection with the case.

Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh (HT_PRINT)

The former minister was summoned by the probe agency for questioning into the matter on April 14 after Param Bir Singh, in a letter to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, accused him of directing his subordinates to collect money from bars, restaurants and hotels in Mumbai.

Watch: CBI files FIR against ex-Maha minister Anil Deshmukh over corruption allegation





According to Singh, Deshmukh told police officer Sachin Vaze, now suspended and arrested in connection with Mukesh Ambani security threat case, to collect Rs100 crore a month from these sources.

As part of its preliminary enquiry, the CBI also questioned Anil Deshmukh’s personal assistants Sanjeev Palande and Kundan Shinde, former cop Sachin Vaze’s two drivers, bar owners, Mumbai Police officers, and people close to the former minister in connection with the alleged corruption case.

The investigation was taken up by the CBI after the High Court of Bombay directed it on April 5 to conduct a preliminary investigation into the case within 15 days. On April 8, the Supreme Court ruled 8 that the allegations levelled against the former minister were "serious" and needed probe by the central agency.

"Allegations are serious, the home minister and police commissioner are involved. They're closely working together till they fall apart, and both are holding a particular position. Should the CBI not probe? The nature of allegations and the persons involved require independent probe," said the SC bench.