‘Re-examine provogue owner’s proposal’

The Bombay high court on Friday asked the state government to re-examine a proposal forwarded by the then director general of police (DGP) to transfer the probe into the allegations made by Provogue owner Salil Chaturvedi to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The Bombay high court on Friday asked the state government to re-examine a proposal forwarded by the then director general of police (DGP) to transfer the probe into the allegations made by Provogue owner Salil Chaturvedi to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

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The court was hearing a petition filed by Chaturvedi raising grievances over transferring the probe from the state Crime Investigation Department. He also alleged that the police officers, who had allegedly falsely implicated him in a drug possession case in 2005, were delaying the investigations.

“Please examine it [the proposal] again, because it may have repercussions,” said the division bench of justice AM Khanvilkar and justice AR Joshi, referring to a letter written by the then DGP to additional chief secretary (home) in October 2010. “The tenor of the letter is that there are groups in the police force, and the DGP had recommended to hand over the investigation to the CBI to ensure impartial investigation.”

Chaturvedi’s counsel, Vikas Pahwa, contended that the highest police officer in the state hierarchy had no say in the investigation and the DGP’s recommendation was overlooked. Advocate general Ravi Kadam replied that the state government was higher in the hierarchy and it will decide on handing over any case to the CBI.