Bombay High Court orders CBI probe against Anil Deshmukh

According to LiveLaw, a division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni noted, "Interest of justice will be done if the director of CBI is allowed to conduct preliminary inquiry. Once preliminary inquiry is complete, director CBI be at discretion to further course of action."

The bench also noted that an unbiased probe is required to "unearth the truth."

The order for a CBI probe was specifically passed in response to a writ petition filed by Mumbai-based lawyer Dr. Jaishri Laxmanrao Patil.

The court said, "There can be no independent probe if it is given to police."

Responding to Singh's plea, it said that would be at liberty to make a grievance before any appropriate forum.

The court then disposed of the petitions.

Along with a criminal PIL filed by the former Mumbai Police chief, the HC heard a slew of petitions filed by advocate Jaishri Patil and criminal PILs by advocate Ghanshyam Upadhyay and Mohan Bhide.

Patil and Upadhyay had sought independent investigations, while Bhide had sought a judicial inquiry.

Singh had sought an "immediate and fair investigation" on the various "corrupt malpractices" of Deshmukh.

Singh's plea had alleged that Deshmukh had asked police officers, including suspended assistant police inspector Sachin Waze, to collect Rs. 100 crore each month from bars and restaurants.

The PIL also alleged corruption in police transfers and postings and political interference in probes.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Bombay HC had reserved its order in the matter.

Singh had raised the allegations mere days after he was transferred as Mumbai Police chief to a low-key post in the Home Guard.

The transfer came as the state government and the police faced criticism over the Mukesh Ambani bomb threat case.

Deshmukh has denied all allegations against him. The state government has also ordered a probe by a retired HC judge.