Sena backs Param Bir Singh, says his transfer doesn’t show he is guilty

The support appeared in the Sena mouthpiece, Saamana, in an editorial, a day after the MVA government, of which Sena is a constituent, said that Singh was transferred because of some “serious and unforgivable mistakes” committed by his colleagues

The Shiv Sena on Friday backed former Mumbai Police commissioner Param Bir Singh, stating that he does not become guilty merely because he was shunted out of his post. The defence in Sena mouthpiece Saamana came a day after state home minister Anil Deshmukh said that Singh was transferred out because of some “serious and unforgivable mistakes” committed by his colleagues.

Param Bir Singh. (File photo)

An explosive-laden SUV found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s house Antilia in February had led to a major shake-up in the city’s police force. On Wednesday, Singh was transferred to a low-key post in the home guard department, and Maharashtra director general of police (DGP) Hemant Nagrale was made the new Mumbai Police commissioner.

“The government had to do the reshuffle in the police department under certain specific circumstances. Singh was replaced in the post of Mumbai Police commissioner, but it doesn’t mean he is guilty. He took the charge of the post at a very difficult time,” the editorial stated, adding that Singh “showed commitment” towards the fight against Covid-19 and visited Dharavi, which was a hot spot of infections last year. The editorial also stated that the alleged television rating points (TRP) scam was brought to light under his tenure.

In an apparent response to former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s claim that “handlers” of former assistant police inspector Vaze should also be brought to the fore in the investigation, the Sena mouthpiece said that the Opposition should investigate the angle and added that there are no “political bosses” in such cases.

“If the Opposition is loyal to Maharashtra, then it will not play politics over the reputation of Mumbai Police. They have asked who the political master behind the Mansukh Hiran case is. They should find an answer to this. But in such cases, there are no political bosses. This has been the culture of Maharashtra. If Mansukh Hiran has been killed, the culprit will not be sparred,” the editorial said.

It also slammed the Centre for taking over the Antilia case, stating that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is meant to probe cases related to terrorism, but this case has been handed over to the agency without any terror angle in it. The mouthpiece further asked what investigation has NIA done in the Uri, Pulwama and Pathankot terror attacks.

“NIA investigates matters related to terrorism. But despite not having any link to terrorism, the agency has been handed over the case... What probe did the NIA do in the Uri, Pathankot and the Pulwama attacks? How many criminals have been arrested? This too is a mystery. But 20 gelatin sticks in Mumbai seems to prove to be a big challenge for NIA,” it said.

Meanwhile, two former Shiv Sena leaders – Sanjay Nirupam, who is now with the Congress, and Narayan Rane, who is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader – have attacked the Sena over the developments related to suspended Mumbai Police cop Sachin Vaze.

Nirupam raised questions on the “contradictory” tone in which the two ruling parties — the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Sena — have reacted over Singh’s transfer.

“Shiv Sena is praising Singh, while the home minister, who is from NCP, said that the ex-commissioner had committed a mistake. Such contradictory statements would further damage the image of the government. From the probe in the Vaze case so far, it is clear that the entire incident was an extortion attempt. Is this connected to the Sena,” Nirupam tweeted.

Meanwhile, Rane has called for CM Uddhav Thackeray and Deshmukh’s resignation.

“Maharashtra government is not working properly, everything is done at the will of officers, and even Mukesh Ambani is unsafe in Mumbai. Due to the poor law-and-order situation and corruption, I’ve written to Union home minister Amit Shah for demanding the CM’s resignation and imposing President’s Rule in the state,” said Rane, adding, “The CM got the plot executed through him [Vaze]. He should resign first and then the home minister.”