Anushka Sharma –
Published On: November 25, 2021 at 16:32 IST
The reliefs sought by the Maharashtra government on behalf of its top officers, Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte and DGP Sanjay Pandey, were ‘Misconceived,’ the CBI told the Bombay High Court on Wednesday, because the officers themselves had not filed a Petition in the matter.
The agency was wrapping up its arguments in opposition to the State Government’s request for a SIT to investigate the CBI’s FIR against former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.
The CBI contended that the State’s assertion that the CBI’s probe would be tainted since its present director had an involvement in the episodes under Investigation was ‘Misconceived,’ and that the plea was merely meant to mislead the Court.
The State Government’s Appeal against the CBI probe and summons issued to key officials was resumed on Wednesday by a division bench of Justice Nitin M Jamdar and Justice Sarang V Kotwal.
Pandey was summoned by the CBI on Tuesday to verify the transcript of a taped discussion between him and former Mumbai Commissioner of Police Param Bir Singh, in which Pandey allegedly attempted to persuade Singh to withdraw his March 20 letter to the CM.
Senior advocate Darius Khambata, representing the Maharashtra government, said that such a reference by CBI to the alleged communication of Singh with the central agency was “Intended to influence the Court’s mind against the State”.
The CBI intended to present a sealed cover to demonstrate a progress report and how Deshmukh ‘Interfered with and controlled’ the process of Police Officers transfers and postings, according to Additional Solicitor General Lekhi.
The agency must submit the findings in open Court, according to Khambata, because the “State’s intention was not to stall” the probe.
HC will hear the State Government’s rejoinder on Thursday.