CBI finds prima facie 'cognizable offence' against Deshmukh

MUMBAI: In a shocking development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said on Saturday that its preliminary enquiry (PE) has found that a prima facie 'cognisable offence' is made out against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and others pertaining to alleged corruption and misuse of power.

The CBI said that Deshmukh and some unknown others had attempted to take undue advantage for "improper and dishonest performance of their public duty".

The PE was ordered by the Bombay High Court earlier this month.

The PE also found that arrested-suspended Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze, who was reinstated into the Mumbai Police after being out of service for more than 15 years, "was entrusted with most of the sensational and important cases of the city police" and Deshmukh was in the know of this.

In the FIR lodged by the CBI based on the PE, it has referred to the writ petition filed by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, which mentioned how "the then Home Minister (Deshmukh) and others exercised undue influence over the transfer and postings of officials and thereby exercising undue influence over the performance of official duties by the officials".

In view of this, CBI DSP R.S. Gunjiyal recommended that a case under the amended Prevention of Corruption Act, Section 7, and the Indian Penal Code, Section 120B, should be registered against Deshmukh and the other unknown accused. (IANS)

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