Supreme Court Grants Protection From Arrest To Ex-Mumbai Police Chief Param Bir Singh, Asks Him To Join Investigation

Supreme Court on Monday granted protection from arrest to former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh in various cases registered against him by the Mumbai Police.

The Bench headed by Justice SK Kaul has asked Param Bir Singh to join the investigation.

Senior Advocate Puneet Bali appearing for the Petitioner apprised the Court that his client was very much in the country and apprehended threat to his life from the Bombay Police if he touched Maharashtra at the moment. He added that the FIR lodged against him were by bookies, extortionists and other people against whom Mr. Param Bir had taken action earlier. Expressing his dismay over the order of the Bombay High Court he argued that the matter was of not such a nature which could be pursued before Central Administrative Tribunal as suggested by the High Court.

Mr. Bail read out transcripts of WhatsApp messages between Mr. Param Bir and the Sanjay Pandey, DGP and stated:

"He says withdraw the letter of 20th March (the letter sent to the CM informing about the activities of Home Minister). If you don't I have instructions that many cases will be registered against you. He says I have to make peace with the Home Minister. I sent it to the CBI. CBI registers the case against Deshmukh."

He added:

"The DGP has not denied these contents.I will show from the transcripts how serious are the allegations of threats against me...Complaints are by bookies, extortionists, against whom I had taken action. They had allegations of corruptions, extortionist money taken from builders. These are the complainants against me."

Stating that he has no fear and was ready to appear before the court of CBI when called upon to do so. Mr. Bail submitted -

"Milords, ask me to appear before any officer of the court of CBI, I'll appear before them. Kindly see my prayer before HC."

The Bench concerned about the conversation that transpired between Mr. Param Bir and Mr. Sanjay Pandey remarked that if the Commission of police is apprehending such coercive actions against him, then what would happen to the common man. The Bench observed:

"We do find the picture very disturbing. An earlier Commissioner seems to show lack of faith in the police! We wonder what would happen to the common man and what kind of faith would they have in the police. The matter has become curious and curious in the battle between the then HM and the Police Commissioner. The only question to be examined is the CBI looking into the matter, the other aspects to be entrusted to CBI...Notice issued returnable on 6th Dec."

Considering the state of mind of Mr. Param Bir, Mr. Bali prayed for some protection from the Top Court. Granting protection the Bench stated:

"Meanwhile the Petitioner should join the investigation but not be arrested."

The petition was filed against the September 16 judgment of the Bombay High Court which dismissed as not maintainable the petitions filed by him challenging the two inquiries ordered by the State Home Ministry for allegedly violating service rules and corruption charges.

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