Anil Deshmukh case: ED summons Maharashtra chief secretary Sitaram Kunte

MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned the chief secretary of Maharashtra Sitaram Kunte on Thursday, in a money laundering case they are investigating against former state home minister Anil Deshmukh. The ED is likely to question him about transfer-posting of the police officers during Deshmukh’s tenure and about the connected corruption allegation. Kunte was additional chief secretary (ACS) Home when Deshmukh was home minister.
TOI tried to reach Kunte for his reaction over the development, but he didn’t reply to phone calls and messages. It is learnt that Kunte may not appear before the ED on Thursday due to his busy schedule. Earlier, the ED had recorded the statement of deputy-secretary home (Maharashtra), Kailash Gaikwad, in the case. Recently the ED had arrested Deshmukh in the case and he is in jail custody.
The ED is investigating the money laundering case based on the CBI case where it is alleged that Deshmukh, then home minister, allegedly asked police officer (now dismissed) Sachin Waze to illegally collect Rs 100 crore from bar owners every month for him. Deshmukh also allegedly received bribes for favouring police officers in their transfer and posting by using his power as home minister.
The ED officials are mainly trying to understand the home department officers’ involvement pertaining to transfers and if they helped Deshmukh to include the name of police officer for important posting.
Last year, the state intelligence department (SID) then commissioner Rashmi Shukla had recorded telephone conversations of some influential people who were heard promising desired postings to police officers, including IPS, for money. Shukla had submitted the related report to then DGP of Maharashtra Subodh Jaiswal, who forwarded it to then ACS Home Kunte to discuss it with the chief minister for required action. But the government had not acted on the report and subsequently Shukla and Jaiswal opted for the central government deputation.
As per the Maharashtra Police Act, transfers and postings of the senior police officer of and above the rank of DySP is recommended by the Police Establishment Board (PEB) headed by ACS Home. The PEB recommends the transfers which then goes to the home minister and then the chief minister's office for final approval. After the approval of CM, the file returns to ACS home for issuing the orders. As per the Act, PEB has a recommendatory role and ministers generally agree with it but not mandatory. They may make changes even after the PEB clearance and cite reasons for the same.