There is huge controversy over the appointment of Indian Police Service office Rakesh Maria as Mumbai Police Commissioner. Ahmad Javed, a senior IPS officer, has gone on leave instead of taking charge as Director General, Home Guard.
Javed, who had called Maria’s appointed unjust and pointed out that he was the top contender for the post, handed over the charge to KL Bishnoi before proceeding on leave.
Javed had said that the delay in naming Mumbai Police Commissioner cost him the position that would have come to him automatically due to his seniority. Javed, who was holding the Additional Director General of police (law and order) post and promoted as the DG, said that had the decision been taken in April 2013 when former CP Satyapal Singh was due for promotion, he would have been the natural choice.
Meanwhile, Vinita Kamte, the wife of slain IPS officer Ashok Kamte who was killed by Pakistani terrorists during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, too lashed out at Maria.
Vinita Kamte told that she feared Maria would influence the investigation into lapses which led to her husband’s death during the 26/11 attacks. She had earlier alleged discrepancies in crucial call records of wireless conversations between the Police Control Room and Ashok Kamte’s van on the day of his death.
She said she feared Maria may not be transparent in the case. Earlier in 2009 she had questioned Maria’s claims that he did not direct Ashok Kamte to the Cama Hospital where he died.
Rakesh Maria had been in charge of the police control room at the time of the carnage in November 2008.
