Rakesh Maria was planning to expose the money laundering aspect involved in the Sheena Bora murder case alleges Nawab Malik.
Questions are being raised in the manner in which Rakesh Maria has been replaced as the Police Commissioner of Mumbai and promoted and posted as the Director General of Police (Home Guards). Maria who was taking a keen interest in the controversial Sheena murder case was about to file a charge sheet in the next few weeks. According to sources, Maria’s exit might hamper the investigation process. Sources also said that there is a possibility that Maria might have been shunted out due to Indrani Mukherjea’s close links with Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani. Maria had issued a statement that the Sheena murder case will be resolved soon and won’t allow it to turn into Aarushi case. They added that political reason too is responsible for Maria’s replacement as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that Maria should take interest in other cases just like he is doing with the Sheena murder case. Fadnavis, who signed the file late on Monday night, was reportedly upset with the way the murder was being handled by Maria.
NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said, “Rakesh Maria has been transferred in order to conceal the money laundering aspect involved in the Sheena Bora murder case. Fadnavis has taken this decision after he was being pressurised by the centre.”
“Indrani and her husband Peter Mukherjea had earned 500 crore through the equity stake sale in INX Group. There was involvement of some Gujarati businessmen in it. Maria was transferred to shield those businessmen.” he added.
“Rakesh Maria has been promoted to the post of DG, Home Guards and Commandant General, Civil Defence,” said KP Bakshi, Additional Chief Secretary (Home).
“The post of Police Commissioner, Mumbai has been upgraded and Ahmed Javed has been posted on this upgraded post,” Bakshi said.
Leader of Opposition in state legislative Assembly, Radha Krishna Vikhe-Patil said, “Why did the government transfer Maria in a hurry? He was probing the Sheena Vora murder case and should have allowed to continue till his full term which ends on 30th September.”
The Home Department held the changes were made taking into account the law and order factor ahead of the Ganapati festival, dismissing suggestions that that it has some links with the ongoing investigation in the high-profile murder case.
Bakshi, however, denied any connection between Maria’s promotion and the Sheena Bora murder case.
“There is no question of any connection between Sheena Bora murder probe and Rakesh Maria’s promotion,” Bakshi said. There is “no political reason behind this, it’s a routine transfer”, he added.
An officer of the 1981 IPS batch, Maria, was last year appointed as Mumbai Police chief. While, Ahmed Javed, who was serving as DG (Homeguard), has been appointed as Mumbai CP. Earlier last year, Javed had protested against appointment of Maria as CP. Javed had then termed Maria’s appointed unjust and pointed out that he was the top contender for the post. Maria was at the centre of a controversy two months ago when his meeting with former IPL chief Lalit Modi in London a few years ago came to light. He was asked to issue an explanation.
Maria’s successor Ahmed Javed denied that the team investigating the Sheena Bora murder case has been shunted out.
“The joint police commissioner has categorically said that the team (probing the Sheena Bora killing) has not been removed. All aspects of the case, financial or otherwise shall be thoroughly investigated,” said Ahmed Javed.
“The issue before us is that the case should be handled properly and evidences collected must be such that it becomes a complete case when it goes for trial,” he added.
