The Maharashtra government is probing the role of over a dozen police officers, who have been named in an Income Tax (I-T) report detailing cash payments by a private developer.
The Home department had last week forwarded the report to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis requesting to institute a discreet inquiry under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Sources said the report contains the names of cops all of whom are designated above the rank of police inspector and posted in police stations in the western suburb.
The Income Tax Investigation Directorate had in its report submitted to the State in November 2018 detailed the mode of cash payments made by developer Mohini Shelters. The I-T had in searches on the premises of the real estate firm based out of Juhu and Khar found documents detailing cash payments made to procure apartments in residential projects in Khar (W).
“The I-T report has detailed the money transfers by cash and named the police officials involved. The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) will commence a probe into the matter once the Chief Minister gives approval for a discreet inquiry against a total of 13 officers,” a source in the Home department said.
Officials said the report also provided names of other senior State officials residing in Juhu and Andheri who may have made payments to purchase flats with the same builder. “Once the inquiry is over, the ACB can initiate an open inquiry; thereafter the role of the government officials will be probed,” an official said.
Under the existing provisions, when allegations of corruption against State government employees of Group B, C and D are received, the ACB conducts a discreet inquiry.
Upon discovery of further evidence, an open enquiry is initiated by taking permission from the competent authority.