Probe ordered over Param Bir Singh use of official vehicle

Former Mumbai police chief Paramb Bir Singh

The state government has initiated yet another investigation against controversial IPS officer Param Bir Singh for using an official vehicle, with a red beacon, without taking charge and reporting to the home department as well as the Director-General of Maharashtra Police. Sources said Singh, who faces multiple FIRs, has been visiting places to record his statements in the vehicle.

State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil said on Tuesday that they would probe how he was allowed to use the official vehicle while going to record his statements to places where he has been named as an accused.

Singh, who surfaced last week after remaining untraceable for two months, has so far visited the Mumbai Crime Branch, Thane police, Chandiwal Commission's office, a local court in Thane, Mumbai's Killa court and the state CID office in his official vehicle having a red beacon.

"Ideally, he should not use the official vehicle as he is going to record his statement as an accused, the investigating officers may get influenced as he is an officer of DG rank," said an officer requesting anonymity.

"He should not use his official vehicle as he has not joined his office yet, we have initiated an enquiry against him," said Patil.

Meanwhile, Singh was questioned by the state CID in connection with an extortion case registered against him at the Marine Drive police station on the complaint of a builder, who has alleged that the IPS framed him in a MCOCA case. Singh also visited the Killa court to get another non-bailable warrant cancelled.

The Mumbai police, which launched an enquiry on Monday over a one-on-one meeting between Singh and dismissed cop Sachin Waze, have given their report to the Navi Mumbai police saying that it was due to lapses on the part of the escort party incharge who didn't stop Waze and Singh before their private encounter. As Waze is locked up in Taloja jail, he was being escorted to the Chandiwal Commission by the Navi Mumbai cops. The Mumbai police have submitted its report to the Navi Mumbai police chief for action against the escort incharge.

Panel pulls up Waze

On Tuesday, the Chandiwal Commission pulled up Waze after he tried to communicate with former home minister Anil Deshmukh who had been brought before the panel. The judge heading the Commission told Waze not to take undue advantage of the panel's "good nature". Waze apologised and promised that he won't repeat it.