Had no secret meeting with Sachin Waze, says Param Bir Singh

Param Bir Singh; (right) Sachin Waze

Rubbishing the allegation that he held a secret meeting with dismissed officer Sachin Waze during his appearance before the Chandiwal Commission, former city commissioner of police (CP) Param Bir Singh on Thursday told mid-day that such news has been spread to malign his image.

Police on Monday launched an enquiry against the duo who, they claimed, had an hour-long chat in violation of Waze's judicial custody. Court's permission is required to meet an accused in judicial custody, an officer had said earlier.

"I went to a room, which is next to the office of Chandiwal Commission [in Fort], and was having a discussion with my lawyers regarding some affidavits that were supposed to be filed. A notary was also present with us. While we were talking in one corner of the room, Waze, his legal team as well as a police escort team entered the room. Waze and his lawyers were having their own discussion. There is absolutely no question of having any secret meeting, as it was an open room, and many lawyers were constantly coming in and going out," Singh told mid-day.

Singh had appeared before the Chandiwal Commission, probing his corruption allegations against former state home minister Anil Deshmukh, seeking cancellation of his non-bailable warrant. His lawyer had also filed a pursis (written statement) before the commission, stating that no such meetings took place between the two.

"It is true that no secret meetings happened between my client and Waze. I was there and had discussions with him along with another senior lawyer. We filed a pursis before the commission to bring it on record of the court, but withdrew it as the commission said it would lead to the further inquiries. My client was not alone for even a second, as he faces a serious threat to his life," Singh's lawyer Anukul Seth told mid-day.

Mumbai police have already initiated an enquiry into the alleged meeting and recorded the statement of Waze's escort team from Taloja Jail, as it was their responsibility to ensure that no outsiders meet Waze, except his lawyer and the people who were allowed by the court. City police found lapses on the part of the escort team, and submitted to Navi Mumbai police commissioner a default report against its in-charge. It has asked for an action, and suggested that the commissioner conduct an independent probe.

State suspends Param Bir Singh for lapses

The state government on Thursday suspended former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh, who was posted as the Director-General Home Guard, citing lapses. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray cleared the order based on a report submitted by Secretary (Planning) Debashish Chakravarty, who now holds the additional charge of the chief secretary.

The suspension order points to "unauthorised absence from duty" and certain "irregularities" by Singh. While he will be paid benefits like subsistence allowance and dearness allowance, he is not allowed to take up any other job.

Singh's headquarters will be the office of the Director General of Police and he "shall not leave the said headquarter without obtaining the permission of the Director General of Police, Maharashtra State, Mumbai". The missive also says, "It shall not be permissible for him [Singh] to accept any private employment or engage in any other trade or business during suspension. Any breach of this condition shall be treated as an act of misconduct, rendering him liable for disciplinary action."

Singh apart, Parag Manere, posted as the SP of the excise department in Nagpur, has also been suspended as he has been named in two extortion cases. He was the DCP (crime) in Thane when Singh headed the force.

Meanwhile, a court has cancelled an order that had declared Singh an absconder.

- Faizan Khan