Despite summons, Republic TV's chief financial officer (CFO) did not appear before the Mumbai police on Saturday to record his statement in connection with the TRP manipulation racket, saying the channel has approached the Supreme Court in the case, a senior official said.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered an FIR against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh in connection with allegations of bribery against him and carried out searches at various locations in Mumbai on Saturday, officials said.
"Was any of these statements made by the Home Minister in Singh's presence? Otherwise this is nothing but hearsay," the court said.
The meeting assumes significance as the Maha Vikas Agahdi government in Maharashtra led by Shiv Sena, NCP and the Congress is facing a turmoil after former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh alleged that the state's Home minister gave a target to cops for collect Rs 100 crore every month.
Earlier, former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh had accused Deshmukh of asking Waze to collect money from bar owners in Mumbai, an allegation which Deshmukh, who later resigned, denied.
'Param Bir's letter alleges that Waze was being used directly by the home minister.' 'I think an enquiry by a high court judge is the need of the hour.'
"White-collar" crimes like this harm the country's economy and it can not ignore the statement of dismissed police officer and accused-turned-approver Sachin Waze in the case, the court said.
The development comes on a day the Supreme Court adjourned Anil Deshmukh's plea, which sought protection from any coercive action by the Enforcement Directorate in the criminal case registered under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, and said it would hear his petition on August 3.
A witness in the 2008 Malegaon blast case claimed he was tortured and forced by the Maharashtra ATS to name Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The special court acquitted all seven accused, citing unreliable evidence and involuntary statements.
"It was a well-thought-out plan. Waze was interrogating Hiran for three days and made him write false complaint of several agencies and police officers calling him including Waze himself. The letters were addressed to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and Mumbai police commissioner, he said.
The FIR was registered against Deshmukh and some unidentified persons on April 24 this year on charges of corruption and misconduct following a preliminary inquiry that the CBI conducted in compliance with the high court's order.
Raut said the ED notice to Parab was "expected" and the party would fight it legally.
BARC said it was cooperating with the law enforcement agencies in their ongoing investigation in the Television Rating Points manipulation case.
Goswami also singled out Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh for his 'illegal' arrest on November 4 in a 2018 suicide abetment case.
The Bombay High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by IPS officer Param Bir Singh seeking to quash inquiries initiated against him by the Maharashtra government, and said he can approach the CAT.
Shelar also claimed that the MVA govt was obstructing the Centre's strong actions to tackle the drug menace in the country.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday seized two more luxury cars allegedly used by suspended Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze, sources said.
A special PMLA court here, while taking cognisance of a charge sheet filed against former policeman Sachin Waze and others in an alleged money laundering case, has said the money trail prima facie indicates that former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh received Rs 4.7 crore from Waze and his aide Kundan Shinde.
Officials said this is the third notice issued to the NCP leader for deposing before the investigating officer of the case. Deshmukh has been asked to record his statement at the central agency's office in south Mumbai on Monday.
Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh on Thursday said he will appear before the ED, which had summoned him in connection with its probe into a money laundering case, "after the legal process is completed".
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, state unit NCP chief Jayant Patil, and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut separately met NCP supremo Sharad Pawar in Delhi on Sunday evening in view of former Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh's allegations of corruption against state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday termed as 'quite serious' the matter in which former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh has filed a plea against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, but asked the Indian Police Service officer to approach the Bombay high court with his grievances.
The ED case comes about after the CBI first carried out a preliminary enquiry, followed by filing a regular case, on the orders of the Bombay High Court that asked it to look into the allegations of bribery made against Deshmukh by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.
The Sena also said this issue has now become a "matter of prestige" for the party-led government, a day after Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party ruled out resignation of Deshmukh.
Deshmukh sent a two-page letter to the ED through his advocate Inderpal Singh and mentioned that he is sending his representative.
The Income Tax Department has detected "concealment of income" to the tune of Rs 17 crore after recent raids on institutions linked to former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh and his family members, official sources claimed on Monday.
Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Tuesday said suspended police officer Sachin Waze was a prime accused in the Mansukh Hiran murder case, adding it will approach the special National Investigation Agency court in Mumbai to get his custody.
Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar might have discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the delay in the appointment of 12 members to the state Legislative Council from the Governor's quota, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Wednesday.
Since then, four judges of HC -- Justices Revati Mohite Dere, PD Naik, Bharati Dangre and PK Chavan -- have recused themselves from hearing the former minister's bail plea.
The 73-year-old leader was greeted by senior leaders of his party as he walked out of Mumbai's Arthur Road prison around 4.45 pm.
A special court on Mumbai on Tuesday rejected a plea filed by former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh seeking 'default bail' in an alleged money laundering case.
The court, however, stayed the order till October 13 to enable the ED to file an appeal against bail.
'It is the evil combination of ambitious police officers who don't bother about serving the people and support unscrupulous politicians.'
Deshmukh said, "The ED has provisionally seized my family's property estimated at around Rs 4 crore"
'What this incident must do is provide a renewed impetus to urgently bring in police reforms; changes that will ensure that political patronage and extraneous pressure are reduced to a minimum and allow the police to function independently and honestly,' argues Vivek Gumaste.
The central agency arrested his personal secretary Sanjeev Palande and personal assistant Kundan Shinde late Friday night after it had carried out raids against them and Deshmukh in Mumbai and Nagpur.
CCTV footage shows that suspended police officer Sachin Waze and deceased businessman Mansukh Hiran had met on February 17, the day a Scorpio in Hiran's possession was 'stolen', an official of the Maharashtra ATS said on Friday.
"It is complete red herring. I thought the state will see some sense. But, these are different nature of battles. Sorry, dismissed," the bench said.
Justice MS Karnik had granted bail to the 73-year-old Nationalist Congress Party leader on December 12, but stayed the order for 10 days as the CBI sought time to challenge it in the Supreme Court.
After Deshmukh (71) was remanded to judicial custody, his legal team moved a plea before the court, seeking that he be allowed to have home food and medicines, considering his age and medical history.
