Param Bir Singh Letter Row: NCP Rules Out Anil Deshmukh’s Resignation Amid Corruption Allegations

“There is no question of Anil Deshmukh’s resignation. The ATS is investigating (Antilia case and Mansukh Hiren case) and we believe the culprit will be punished,” ANI quoted NCP leader Jayant Patil as saying. Earlier in the day, Patil met NCP supremo Sharad Pawar to decide on the future course of action in the wake of the controversy.

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Amid the growing clamour for Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh’s resignation following extortion charges levelled against him by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday said there is no question of Deshmukh’s resignation, stating that the culprit will be punished as the ATS is investigating the Antilia bomb scare case as well as Thane-based businessmen Mansukh Hiren’s murder case.

“There is no question of Anil Deshmukh’s resignation. The ATS is investigating (Antilia case and Mansukh Hiren case) and we believe the culprit will be punished,” ANI quoted NCP leader Jayant Patil as saying.

Earlier in the day, Patil met NCP supremo Sharad Pawar to decide on the future course of action in the wake of the controversy.

READ: 'Param Bir Singh's Letter Has Allegations But No Proof Against Anil Deshmukh', Says NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar

Sharad Pawar Puts Ball In Uddhav Thackeray’s Court:

The NCP chief, who also held separate meetings with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, told the media that allegations levelled against Deshmukh require an in-depth probe.

Calling the allegations levelled against Deshmukh “serious”, the NCP supremo said the final decision on the former lies with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

The former Mumbai Police chief has claimed Deshmukh wanted officers to collect Rs 100 crore monthly from bars and hotels in Mumbai.

The Home Minister has, however, rubbished all allegations as baseless.

READ: Mansukh Hiren Death Case: Maharashtra ATS Officer Claims 'Murder Mystery Solved', Two Asserted

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has cornered the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra and demanded Deshmukh resignation.

Former chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis has alleged that the NCP supremo was trying to save the state government in the wake of the controversy while categorically stating it is not possible “without the knowledge of the Chief Minister and Home Minister”.

Ambani Bomb Scare Case and Mansukh Hiren’s Death:

Earlier on February 25, a Scorpio with explosives and a threat note was found abandoned near Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani’s Antilia residence. The vehicle was upon investigating traced to a Thane-based auto parts dealer Mansukh Hiren, who had apparently filed a complaint of missing car on February 17.

Hiren, who claimed that the vehicle had been stolen few days back, was found dead in a creek at Thane on March 5. His wife claimed that her husband had given the SUV to Sachin Vaze, the first investigating officer in the bomb scare case in November last year, which the officer returned in the first week of February.