Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has resigned from his post after the Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to start an investigation into the allegation of corruptions of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh against the minister. The court directed the central agency to conduct a preliminary inquiry within 15 days.
Singh moved to the HC last month seeking an “immediate and unbiased” probe against Deshmukh, who he claimed asked police officer Sachin Waze to collect ‘Rs 100 crore’ from bars and restaurants. In February, the ex-cop said in his plea that Deshmukh held meetings at his residence with several Mumbai police officials, including Waze.
“Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has resigned,” NCP minister Nawab Malik said. He added that Deshmukh met NCP chief Sharad Pawar soon after the Bombay HC’s order.
Deshmukh sent his resignation in Marathi to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray who heads an alliance government of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress. In his letter penned in Marathi, Deshmukh said he is stepping down on ‘moral grounds’ after the Bombay High Court’s order.
