From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) the probe into charges of corruption and misconduct against former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh, directing the Maharashtra Police to cooperate with it by handing over all records to the central agency within a week.
Declining to interfere with Singh’s suspension and setting aside the Bombay High Court ruling, the top court said: “The disturbing scenario presented before this court deserves inquiry. We are not saying Param Bir Singh is a whistle blower or that anyone involved is.” It said a very murky affair is going on amid echelons of power on who should investigate the matter.
The Bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M M Sundresh allowed appeal of Singh for the CBI probe on the allegations of misconduct and corruption and asked the CBI to hold an impartial probe into all five criminal charges lodged by the Maharashtra Police against Singh.
It said a thorough investigation is required to regain faith of people in the state police. “We are unable to accept the contention that an FIR is registered by those who had complaints against the petitioner (Singh). We are of the view that the state itself should have allowed tye CBI to carry out the investigation.”
“We are of the prima facie view that there is some concerted effort which needs the investigation by CBI. What is the truth, who is at fault and how does such scenario comee to prevail is something which investigation must get into. CBI must hold an impartial inquiry into all these aspects.”
Not commenting on merits of the allegations lest it influences the probe, the top court said: “The High Court treated this as a service dispute which it is not and thus we set aside the HC verdict. We allow the appeal and direct the probe into five FIRs be transferred to CBI with all records.
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