Maharashtra govt suspends Param Bir Singh, initiates disciplinary proceedings

Param Bir Singh. File Pic

Maharashtra government has suspended former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh and initiated disciplinary proceedings against him over "certain irregularities and lapses", an official said.

The suspension order was approved the day Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was discharged from a private hospital here after undergoing spine surgery on November 12. The lapses include unauthorised absence from duty, an official said. Along with Singh, another DCP rank officer Parag Manere was suspended by the state government.

The order states, "The Government of Maharashtra has decided to start the disciplinary proceedings against Shri. Param Bir Singh, IPS (MH : 1988) in respect of certain irregularities and lapses committed by him including unauthorized absence from duty vide memorandum No. ENQ-2021/C.R.540/Pol-2, dated 02 December 2021; and whereas, the Government of Maharashtra is satisfied that it is necessary and desirable to place Shri. Param Bir Singh, IPS (MH: 1988) under suspension in accordance with the Provision of Rule 3 (1) and 3 (3) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969; Now, Therefore, in the exercise of the power conferred under the sub-rule (1) and sub-rule (3) of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, the Government of Maharashtra hereby place the said Shri. Param Bir Singh, IPS (MH : 1988) under suspension with immediate effect from the date of this order, until further order."

It is further ordered that during the period that this order shall remain in force, the said Shri. Param Bir Singh, IPS (MH: 1988) shall be paid subsistence allowance, dearness allowance and other allowances as admissible under Rule 4 of All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, on the production of certificate that he is not engaged in any other employment, business, profession or vocation. It is also ordered that during the period that this order shall remain in force, the headquarter of Shri. Param Bir Singh, IPS (MH: 1988), shall be the office of Director General of Police, Maharashtra State, Mumbai and he shall not leave the said headquarter without obtaining the permission of the Director-General of Police, Maharashtra State, Mumbai. It shall not be permissible for him to accept any private employment or engage in any other trade or business during the suspension. Any breach of this condition shall be treated as an act of misconduct rendering him liable for disciplinary action.

Singh did not show up in the past six months after being appointed Maharashtra Home Guard chief, sources said. The leave granted to him on health grounds was till August 29, but even after that he failed to join duty, they added. Singh had in March levelled allegations of corruption and misuse of official position against then state home minister Anil Deshmukh after he was shunted from the post of the Mumbai police commissioner in the aftermath of Antilia bomb scare incident.

He had accused Deshmukh of asking police officers to collect Rs 100 crore a month from restaurants and bars in Mumbai, a charge which the NCP leader denied. Along with Singh, another DCP rank officer Parag Manere suspended by state government.

The inquiry commission looking into these allegations had directed Singh to appear to record his statement, but the IPS officer, who was virtually incommunicado since May, turned up before it only last month.

Also Read: Bombay HC quashes proclamation issued against accused in extortion case involving Param Bir Singh

With inputs from Faizan Khan

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