In a significant development, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh has made explosive allegations against the former Maharashtra home minister, Anil Deshmukh. Singh claims that Deshmukh orchestrated an extensive extortion scheme, with funds collected illegally being funneled to Jayant Patil, who managed the finances of the undivided Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). According to Singh, Deshmukh set a staggering ₹100 crore extortion target specifically for Mumbai, applying immense pressure on police officers to meet this demand. He further alleges that the extortion racket extended beyond Mumbai, with separate targets established for other regions of Maharashtra.
Singh claims the funds were sourced from various illicit activities, including the banned gutkha trade. People involved in these illegal businesses were allegedly called in for discussions on the money collection process. The former top cop also contends that Deshmukh’s son, Salil, played a significant role in these operations, contacting officers to secure funds in exchange for favorable postings.
Moreover, Singh disclosed that during his tenure as Mumbai’s police commissioner, Deshmukh and other key Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government leaders harbored plans to target prominent opposition figures. He recounted meetings held at Deshmukh’s official residence, where discussions were centered on implicating opposition leaders like BJP’s Jaykumar Rawal and former minister Girish Mahajan in fabricated cases. Despite intense pressure, Singh claims he refused to proceed with these actions, citing insufficient evidence.
Singh further mentioned a separate meeting at the residence of Sharad Pawar, the influential leader of the NCP, where similar discussions took place, once again urging him to target opposition leaders. The allegations have sent shockwaves through the political landscape in Maharashtra, reigniting tensions between the state’s political factions.
In response, Salil Deshmukh, the son of the accused former home minister, dismissed Singh’s claims as baseless and politically motivated. He accused Singh of acting on behalf of the BJP, implying that these allegations were part of a more significant political vendetta orchestrated by the opposition.
These revelations have added a new dimension to the ongoing political drama in Maharashtra. The public is eagerly watching to see how the allegations unfold and whether they will lead to further legal and political consequences for those involved.
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