The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is expected to interrogate Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh in a money laundering case linked to his allegation of a Rs 100 bribery-cum-extortion racket in the state police establishment that led to the resignation of former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh, officials said on Friday.
According to sources, Param Bir Singh was summoned by the ED last week. However, he had asked for more time as he was unwell and had to undergo surgery as well.
After being shunted out of the Mumbai Police, Param Bir Singh had alleged in a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in March that Deshmukh had asked Sachin Vaze to extort around Rs 100 crore a month. A majority of this amount was to be collected from bars and restaurants, according to Singh’s letter.
Following this, various petitions were filed seeking investigation into the allegations. On the directions of the Bombay High Court, CBI conducted a preliminary inquiry and then registered an FIR against Deshmukh.
Searches were conducted at Deshmukh’s residence, offices and the premises of his close associates. The CBI also recorded statements of various individuals including Deshmukh.
Ed will instigate suspended cop Sachin Vaze also at Taloja jail, as the court has granted permission to interrogate Vaze.