As SC orders CBI probe, Maharashtra politicians mostly toe party lines

As the Supreme Court in its judgement transferred Sushant Singh Rajput’s case to the CBI, the politicians in Maharashtra had a field day. Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh welcomed the SC decision and said he will cooperate with the agency. “We welcome the judgement of the Supreme Court and will provide whatever cooperation is needed by the CBI. It is a matter of pride for the Mumbai Police that the Supreme Court observed there is no fault in their investigation.” Deshmukh added that the Mumbai Police has done a proper investigation and that the opposition has politicised the case as the Bihar election is coming up. Taking a different line from the party, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar’s grand-nephew tweeted “Satyamev Jayate” (Truth shall prevail).

Another person who was vocal against the CBI probe was Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, who after the verdict said that it’s not right to comment as it’s a legal battle now. “Nobody is above law. With the SC giving its judgement, it is not right to make a political comment.” Mumbai Police had probed the case “in all fairness”, the Rajya Sabha member said. 

 Meanwhile, senior Sena leader and Transport Minister Anil Parab said that there were attempts to tarnish the image of the Thackerays and Maha Vikash Aghadi (MVA) government and the whole case of SSR was politicised. “Maharashtra was only asking that the case should be given to Mumbai police and if required it can be later referred to CBI. As the incident took place in Mumbai. We believed that federal structures should not be affected. Due process of law should be followed.”

“BJP thought that no one other than them can run a government in Maharashtra. Through this case, they are defaming Thackeray. The opposition is not showing any sympathy for Sushant. They are only making allegations on Thackeray. Hum kyun dare? Is case mien Thackeray sarkar ka koi connection nahi let any agency probe,” adds Anil Parab.

 Hailing the decision, senior BJP leader and former CM Devendra Fadnavis tweeted, “A decision that boosts faith in the judiciary system! Maharashtra govt now needs to introspect the way they handled this case. Now, we expect justice in #SushantSinghRajput case and for his fans.” Other BJP leaders like MLA Atul Bhatalkar demanded HM Anil Deshmukh’s resignation and suspension of Mumbai CP Parambir Singh and DCP Abhishek Trimukhe probing the case. He said, “If this doesn›t happen then I will write to PM Narendra Modi on this». Senior BJP leader and former state minister Ashish Shelar said «Mumbai Police seemed to be pressurised by someone in the MVA govt. It is imperative to find out who was behind it.”

 Congress leaders didn›t react much. Congress leader and former MoS Home Naseem khan said, “Mumbai Police has a reputation like Scotland Police but some tried to spoil their reputation but now we respect SC’s decision. Some also tried to politicise the issue, the ball is in CBI’s Court now. It’s the government which should decide about the review petition.”