ACB chief' bares policeman's nexus with underworld

MUMBAI: In a fresh development in the 2001 Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) answer paper scam, the chief of state's Anti-corruption Bureau Hasan Gafoor has indicted the then investigating officer Sudhakar Pujari of having links with underworld and using influence of politicians to transfer police officers.

Gafoor made these allegations against Pujari in an affidavit filed before the Bombay High Court in response to a petition filed by former MPSC Chairman Gyanchand Verma who has sought removal of his name as a suspect from the MPSC scam.

The affidavit was filed on September 8 before a bench headed by Justice Ajay Khanvilkar which posted the matter for further hearing on October 1.

Gafoor has alleged after the MPSC scam case was registered in 2002, a PIL was filed in the High Court at Pujari's behest. "With the help of PIL and using the media, Pujari exerted pressure on the Supervisory officer and instructions given by the latter were termed as interference".

"Some of the arrests he (Pujari) made were against the legitimate directions of senior ACB officers," Gafoor's affidavit claimed.

"We have material on record which clearly indicates that Pujari has been vehemently making efforts to oust Sanjay Parandhe, supervisory officer and additional superintendent of police, from the ACB by putting pressure on the Government," Gafoor said in the affidavit.

Justifying Parandhe's continuation with ACB, Gafoor said he is due to retire in few months.