SIT to probe 2 FIRS linked to Singh
MUMBAI: Mumbai Police have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the two first information reports (FIR) registered linked to former Mumbai Police commissioner (CP) Param Bir Singh and others.
The SIT will probe two FIRS, one of which is registered at the Marine Drive police station against Singh, a crime branch deputy commissioner of police (DCP) and five other policemen, by a Bhayander-based builder Shyamsunder Agrawal alleging ₹15 crore extortion by Singh and his subordinate officers.
The other is the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) case registered by the Juhu police against Agrawal for his alleged links with the underworld gangster Chhota Shakeel. Agrawal had alleged that based on this false case, Singh and his subordinates extorted money from him at the behest of his former business partner Sanjay Punamiya, who is presently in the custody of Marine Drive police.
“A Dcp-rank officer would head the SIT and an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) rank officer would be the chief investigation officer of the two cases linked to Singh,” said a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.
“Since senior police officers and some powerful and influential people are linked to the case, an SIT would ensure a transparent, fair and timebound investigation. The SIT will directly report to CP Mumbai Hemant Nagrale and joint CP, law and order, Vishwas Nangre Patil,” another police officer said.
Singh is facing three FIRS; one is of Marine Drive police station, while two FIRS are being investigated by the Thane police.
The Maharashtra criminal investigation department (CID) is probing multiple allegations against Singh on the complaint of cricket bookie Sonu Jalan and other two alleging extortion at the hands of Singh and his subordinates while Singh was heading the Thane Police department.
Singh is also facing multiple enquiries after he was shunted out from the post of Mumbai Police commissioner in March this year, for improper handling of the Antilia bomb scare case.