Transfer Of Accounts Of Police Personnel To Axis Bank; Bombay HC Issues Notice To Fmr CM Devendra Fadnavis [Read Petition]

The Bombay High Court on Thursday issued notice to former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a PIL filed by one Mohnish Jabalpure alleging that the BJP leader misused his position when he was Chief Minister and ordered the transfer of accounts of all police personnel in the state as well beneficiaries of the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana to Axis Bank, a private bank where his wife works at a senior position.

In addition to this, the division bench of Justice Ravi Deshpande and Justice Amit Borkar at Nagpur issued notices to the Chief Secretary, State of Maharashtra, the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department and Director General of Police, Maharashtra returnable in 8 weeks.

The said transfer of accounts to Axis Bank was affected via government circular dated May 11, 2017. Petitioner contends that due to this circular, nationalized banks have been adversely affected and Fadnavis's decision was taken with the intention to favor the bank in which Amruta Fadnavis is working at a senior position.

The petition further alleges that additional benefits like accidental claim, a debit card which are being provided by Axis bank could have been provided by nationalized banks as well but the state government did not invite applications for the same. Previously, the said accounts were with the State Bank of India.

The PIL states-

"The Chief Minister of Maharashtra state used his official position to obtain pecuniary advantage for the Bank in which Amruta Padnavis is working at higher post without any public interest. This is a fit case for when the court may, order any inquiry by Central Bureau of Investigation also according to provisions of Section 13 (1) (d) (iii) or any appropriate Sections of The Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant provisions of Indian Penal Code, an action under the said provisions needs to be initiated against the Respondents no. 2 (Fadnavis) and 4 (Axis Bank) as well as against other involved persons and officials of the Bank and State Government."

Petitioner has sought directions to revoke the said circular dated 11-5-2017 and directions to the Central Bureau of Investigation to initiate an investigation into the entire transaction pertaining to the transfer of accounts. 

Click here to download the Petition