A day after Mumbai Police chief Param Bir Singh was removed from the position, the Maharashtra government said that it was done to ensure that there is a "free and fair" probe into Sachin Vaze's case.
“Yes…it was not a routine administrative transfer…Param Bir Singh was removed as Mumbai Police Commissioner (and shifted as Director General of Home Guards and Civil Defence) to ensure that there is thorough, free and fair probe,” state Home Minister Anil Desmukh said.
Mumbai's Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for allegedly parking a Scorpio that had gelatin stick and a threatening letter near Antilia, the Mumbai residence of India’s top businessman Mukesh Ambani. This happened at a time when the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) is probing the mysterious death of the Thane-based SUV owner Mansukh Hiran.
“Two agencies are probing…the NIA and the ATS… both are reputed agencies and are carrying out the investigations professionally…some junior officer (Vaze) has made a mistake, such mistakes cannot be ignored….he (Singh) is the overall incharge…it is better that he is posted elsewhere so that there is impartial probe,” Deshmukh told media.
“However small or big (official) he may be, he will not be spared,” said Deshmukh, a senior leader of Sharad Pawar-led NCP.
Asked if any role of other police officers in the case have surfaced, Deshmukh said: “Two agencies (NIA and ATS) are probing….progress is being made in the investigations. New things are coming to light.”
However, the minister refused to elaborate. “The agencies (NIA or ATS) are free to call anyone for investigations,” he said.
On the Sushant Singh Rajput case, Deshmukh said that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) must reveal the details. “Several months have passed since the CBI is investigating…they should tell whether it was a suicide or murder,” he said.
On the repeated attacks on Mumbai Police, he said: “The Mumbai Police is considered next to Scotland Yard…the Mumbai Police and Maharashtra Police is respected everywhere….in fact, the Scorpio, which was parked nearly 300 metres away (from Antilia) was noticed first by the Mumbai Police.”