Police to investigate ‘secret meeting’ between Param Bir, Sachin Waze

Hours after the state-appointed Chandiwal Commission cancelled the bailable warrant issued against former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh, an inquiry was initiated into an alleged “secret meeting” between Singh and dismissed policeman Sachin Waze.

Singh and Waze — an undertrial prisoner who is the main accused in the Antilia security scare case and is being investigated by the NIA — allegedly met in a separate room in the premises where the Chandiwal Commission holds its hearings, without seeking the judge’s permission.

The Mumbai Police will conduct an inquiry into the incident and submit its report to the Navi Mumbai Police, who shall take further action against the four policemen including a police sub-inspector who escorted Waze from Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai to Old Secretariat Building Annex in Fort, where the proceedings of the commission are under way, and who allowed the alleged meeting to take place.

Earlier in the day, the former Mumbai police commissioner presented himself before the commission. The Chandiwal Commission was appointed by the government to probe Singh’s allegations of corruption against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh. It had issued a bailable warrant against him on September 7 after he failed to appear before it. After Singh’s resurfacing last week, his lawyers filed an application before the commission seeking cancellation of the bailable warrant, which the commission granted on Monday.

“It is informed that ill health and other ailments precluded him from remaining physically present this commission. Based on protection extended by Hon’ble Supreme Court by order dated 22nd November 2021, Singh has cause to ensure his presence before the commission,” read an order passed by the judge.

The bailable warrant was cancelled and Singh was fined Rs 15,000. He was instructed to deposit the money in the chief minister’s relief fund within a week.

Singh reached the Old Secretariat Building Annex in Fort at 10.30 am. The commission sits on the second floor. The office of the Homeguards is situated on the first floor of the same building. Singh, who holds charge of Director General Homeguard, first went to his office and spent about half an hour there. He then appeared before the commission at about 11.05 am. His lawyer filed an application for cancellation of the bailable warrant against him. Singh had to file an affidavit for the cancellation.