Summary:
Mumbai, Nov 27 (PTI) A Maharashtra cabinet minister used to send a list of police officers of the rank of ACP and above for the purpose of transfers and postings to then state home minister Anil Deshmukh, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) told the Bombay High Court citing the statement of Sanjeev Palande, the ex-personal secretary of Deshmukh.
Palande, an additional collector-rank official, used to send this “unofficial list” to the Police Establishment Board as per Deshmukh"s instructions, the ED stated in an affidavit filed on Friday opposing Palande"s petition for quashing a money laundering case lodged against him.
Citing Palande"s statement, the ED also claimed that a minister also used to meet with the then home minister (Deshmukh) with a list containing the names of police officials and respective places where they have to be transferred along with the names of concerned MLAs and MLCs from the Shiv Sena.
Besides, Palande was also instrumental in arranging meetings between dismissed Mumbai Police officer Sachin Waze and Deshmukh to discuss the possibility of increase in the money collected from bar orchestra owners, the affidavit said.
Palande has admitted in his statement to the investigating agency that one cabinet minister used to send a list of police officials for the purpose of transfers and postings to Deshmukh.
They used to be the officers of the rank of ACP and above, the ED stated.