Will ensure no interference in police work: New Maharashtra home minister Dilip Walse Patil

Dilip Walse Patil said he was suddenly asked to take up the assignment by his party’s leadership

Dilip Walse Patil, who replaced Anil Deshmukh as Maharashtra's home minister in the wake of allegations against his predecessor, has assured no political interference in police administration and transfers. He addressed the media after assuming charge on Tuesday.

Apart from the state, Anil Deshmukh has also moved SC against the HC order

Calling the new responsibility a crown of thorns, he said he will focus on clean administration, transparency and professionalism for enhancing the force's image. "It is a challenging job. People expect justice from the police. I think I will have to work to ensure that the people trust the police. I will consult serving and retired police officers in my efforts to strengthen the force," he said.

The minister said he was suddenly asked to take up the assignment by his party's leadership. "I can speak on certain things only after studying them," he said, but stated that he would have to seek information on the ideological bent of certain officers, who are accused of leaking information to the Opposition.

"Devendra Fadnavis was the CM and home minister for five years. He certainly has connections with the officers and gets information from them. We will try to plug the leakage," he said. According to Walse Patil, his immediate challenge is to ensure law and order and implementation of COVID-19 restrictions. "This month we will have important religious festivals. The force is fully occupied with the dual task of routine policing work and pandemic-related jobs," he added.

State challenges HC order in Supreme Court

The home minister said the state will move the Supreme Court seeking justice in the Bombay High Court's order in the Anil Deshmukh-Param Bir Singh case. He also assured that the state police will cooperate with the CBI which has been asked to conduct a preliminary probe into the allegations against Deshmukh in 15 days, and the NIA which is investigating the Antilia explosives scare.

It has been learnt that the state and Deshmukh have filed separate challenges, and the petitioner in Deshmukh case, advocate Jaishri Patil, has filed a caveat. The state government has said that it hasn't given permission to conduct a CBI probe, while Deshmukh's prayer says that he wasn't given an opportunity to present his side, which was his fundamental right.