‘Been made scapegoat to divert attention’: Former Mumbai CP Param Bir Singh

Home minister Anil Deshmukh and Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh. Pic/Ashish Raje

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, who was transferred this week amid the row over the explosive-laden vehicle found outside Mukesh Ambani's home, has written to CM Uddhav Thackeray, levelling serious allegations against Home minister Anil Deshmukh.

In his eight-page letter, a copy of which was also given to the Deputy CM, Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Principal Secretary to Governor of Maharashtra, Singh accused Deshmukh of demanding R100 crore every month from the Mumbai police officers.

The top cop went on to express anguish over his transfer, which Deshmukh (in pic) had claimed was "due to serious lapses [by the police in the Antilia bomb scare case], which were not pardonable". Singh alleged that Deshmukh had called Sachin Waze, head of the Crime Intelligence Unit to his official residence Dnyaneshwar several times in the last few months, and repeatedly instructed him to assist in collections of funds for him. He wrote, "In and around mid-February and thereafter, the honourable home minister had called Waze to his official residence. At that time, one of two staff members of the honourable home minister, including his personal secretary, Palande, were also present. He expressed to Waze that he had a target to accumulate Rs 100 crore a month [from the police]." He said that Deshmukh had also told Waze that the target could be achieved if they collected Rs 2 to Rs 3 lakh each from the 1,750-plus bars and restaurants in the city.

Singh wrote, "Waze came to my office the same day and informed me. I was shocked… and was mulling over how to deal with the situation."

He said that the minister had also been calling other officers to his residence, bypassing him and other superior officers of the police department, to whom those respective officers report to. "The minister has been instructing them to carry out official assignments and collection schemes, including financial transactions. These corrupt malpractices have been brought to my notice by my officers."

Referring to other malpractices, Singh claimed that the Home Minister had forced the Mumbai Police to register an abetment case against people mentioned in the suicide note by MP of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Mohan Delkar. Singh said that he had presented all the facts at a meeting held at Varsha, in presence of the CM, and Deshmukh had been unhappy with the development.

In conclusion Singh wrote, "I take full responsibility of my police force. However, the instance of interference makes it clear that the responsibility of wrongdoings may lie somewhere else... On a collective appraisal of events that have transpired and what is being pointed out by me, makes it clear that I have been made a scapegoat to divert attention from the actual wrongdoers."

The CM's office said it had received an unsigned letter in the name of Singh through email on Saturday. "The letter has the sender's name but his signature is missing. The email ID (paramirs3@gmail.com) is being verified," said the CMO. The statement further said that Singh's email ID in the IPS list is parambirs@hotmail.com.