Page Loader
Param Bir Singh reaches Mumbai to join probe
"I will join the investigation as directed by the court," Param Bir Singh said.

Param Bir Singh reaches Mumbai to join probe

Nov 25, 2021
03:25 pm

What's the story

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh on Thursday arrived in Mumbai to appear before the crime branch, which is probing an extortion case against him. "I will join the investigation as directed by the court," Singh told reporters soon after his arrival. The development comes after the Supreme Court on Monday granted him protection from arrest and asked him to join the probe.

Context

Why does it matter?

Singh was declared "absconding" by a Mumbai court, with media reports suggesting he had left India. However, Singh Monday told the SC he was in India and "faces a threat to his life." His Thursday appearance was the first since he disappeared from public view in October. Notably, Singh faces four Police cases and two preliminary inquiries by the Maharashtra government on extortion charges.

Information

Singh to record statement in an extortion case: Official

A Mumbai Police official said Singh had arrived in Mumbai from Chandigarh. He appeared before the Mumbai Police crime branch unit-11 and is soon going to record his statement in connection with an extortion case registered at Goregaon police station, the official added.

Recent news

'I am in Chandigarh,' Singh had claimed yesterday

On Wednesday, the former top cop had told news channels that he was in Chandigarh and would join the investigation in cases against him soon in Mumbai. Singh had reportedly also appeared on the Telegram app Wednesday evening but later deleted his account from the app, NDTV reported. These developments came after the SC granted him protection from arrest on Monday.

Development

Singh got protection from arrest on Monday

On Monday, Singh's counsel had informed the SC that his client is "very much in India but apprehends actions being taken by the state of Maharashtra." He had also expressed his willingness to join the probe but sought protection from arrest. Following this, the court granted Singh protection from arrest and directed him to join the probe.

Notices

Notices issued following court's order

Following the court's order, notices were issued, directing Singh to appear before the investigating officer within 30 days. The notices were reportedly pasted outside Singh's known addresses and printed in newspapers. "If he had failed to do so, the investigators could have started the process of attaching Singh's properties," an officer told The Indian Express.

Singh

Singh has not reported to work since May

Singh has not reported to work since May this year following his transfer from the post of Mumbai Police Commissioner. He was transferred as the Director General (Home Guards) following the Ambani terror scare case and his allegations of corruption against the then Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. Singh had accused Deshmukh of extorting money from bars, restaurants, and hookah parlors in Mumbai.

Information

Singh's allegations led to Deshmukh's resignation

The corruption charges leveled by Singh against Deshmukh had also led to the latter's resignation from the post of Home Minister. Singh had alleged that Deshmukh asked officials to collect Rs. 100 crore every month through illegal means. Notably, Deshmukh is currently in judicial custody.