Maha row: Nature of allegations, persons involved required independent probe, says SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Thursday said the nature of allegations and persons involved in the case related to sensational claim of ex-Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh required investigation by an “independent agency”.

The apex court is hearing two appeals of Maharashtra government and Deshmukh who have challenged the Bombay High Court order directing a CBI probe into the allegations of corruption and misconduct levelled against him by the former Mumbai police commissioner.

“Nature of allegation, personas involved require investigation by independent agency,” observed a bench of Justices S K Kaul and Hemant Gupta.

It is only preliminary enquiry, nothing is wrong in it when serious allegations are made by senior officer against a senior minister, the bench said when counsel for Deshmukh alleged that oral allegations were made without any substance and CBI probe was ordered without hearing him.

The bench said that two persons involved in the case was the police commissioner and the home minister and they were working together till they fall apart.

Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Maharashtra, said that it has withdrawn consent and was aggrieved by CBI probe.

The hearing is continuing in the apex court.