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Mumbai police record Fadnavis’s statement in phone tapping case
The case pertains to alleged illegal phone taps carried out by IPS officer Rashmi Shukla, who was heading state intelligence department at the time, on select political leaders and senior officials.
The cyber cell of the Mumbai Police recorded former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s statement in connection with an illegal phone tapping case. A team of the Mumbai police reached his residence around 12 noon on Sunday and recorded his statement.
The case pertains to alleged illegal phone taps carried out by IPS officer Rashmi Shukla, who was heading state intelligence department at the time, on select political leaders and senior officials.
Fadnavis had cited a letter purportedly written by her to the then Maharashtra DGP about the alleged corruption in transfers in the police department.“A police team recorded my statement. I answered all questions. Maharashtra government had been brushing aside the case for the past six months. I am a whistleblower of this case,” Fadnavis said.
“I have submitted the documents regarding the state’s transfer case to Union home secretary. I was asked questions as if I am the accused in the case. I clearly told them that I did not give these documents to the press,” he added. Fadnavis’s remarks triggered a war of words with Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut saying there are no special rights for anyone in democracy.
Maharashtra home minister Dilip Walse Patil said,“There is no need to raise a hue and cry. …the notice was not sent to him as an accused…The notice was sent to record the information he had in connection with the issue.”
Meanwhile, BJP workers staged protests and burnt copies of the police notice in Pune, Pandharpur (in the Solapur district), Nagpur, Chandrapur, Sangli, Thane and Palghar.
The case was registered under the Official Secrets Act at the BKC cyber police station last year against unidentified persons for allegedly illegally tapping phones and leaking confidential documents. The complaint was lodged by the state intelligence department (SID). However, before the FIR was registered,the then Maharashtra chief secretary Sitaram Kunte had alleged in his inquiry report that Shukla had leaked the confidential report.
The cyber police had also recorded the statement of Shukla, who is presently posted in Hyderabad on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deputation.
Meanwhile, Fadnavis’ remarks on Sunday triggered a war of words with Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut saying there are no special rights for anyone in democracy and all are equal before the law.
Maharashtra home minister Dilip Walse Patil said that notices were issued to Fadnavis “five to six” times requesting him to record his statement.
“There is no need to raise a hue and cry. The notice doesn’t mean summons…the notice was not sent to him as an accused…The notice was sent to record the information he had in connection with the issue,” the minister said, when asked about the BJP’s protest against the police notice to Fadnavis.
Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale extended his support to Fadnavis. “The police have the right to record the statement of Fadnavis but they don’t have the right to send the notice to him. The state government is misusing their power and it is dangerous to democracy,” he told reporters.
Speaking to media persons on Sunday, Nitesh Rane alleged the notice was issued to Fadnavis out of political vendetta. “Anyone who speaks against Dawood Ibrahim, is targeted by the state government and a notice is issued to him,” Rane said.
Last month, Maharashtra home minister Dilip Walse Patil said phones of political leaders, including state Congress chief Nana Patole, minister Bachchu Kadu, former MLA Ashish Deshmukh, former MP Sanjay Kakade and others were tapped illegally by Shukla.
(WITH AGENCY INPUTS)
