Maharashtra government mulls police changes

The Maharashtra government is likely to make changes in the Mumbai Police brass following NIA’s arrest of Crime Intelligence Unit chief Sachin Vaze in the Antilia explosives case. Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday held a meeting with senior ministers at his official residence. Later, home minister Anil Deshmukh, who was part of the meeting, had a session with anti-corruption bureau DG Rajnish Sheth, who may be made the Mumbai Police Commissioner.

The development comes a day after Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar met Thackeray at his residence. Pawar, according to NCP leaders, has taken a very dim view of the Antilia explosive case which led to Vaze’s arrest. Pawar and Congress are unhappy as handling of the case has embarrassed the MVA government with Vaze facing allegations that he misused official machinery to plant explosives. Following Pawar’s meeting, the Shiv Sena which was vocal in defending Vaze has gone quiet. The narrative of NCP now is that ‘whosoever is involved in the case will not be spared’. Talking to newsmen, however, Pawar played down the case. “There are no problems in the Maha Vikas Aghadi. The Maharashtra government led by the Uddhav Thackerey is working properly,” Pawar said in New Delhi on Tuesday. Since the NIA is probing the bomb scare case, everybody should wait for its report, he said. Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar told reporters in Mumbai, “He (Vaze) may have been member of a party, but our government’s position is that there should be no interference in the probe and whoever is involved will be taken to task.”

The MVA government anticipates that there could be embarrassing revelations in the case and it needs to indulge in damage control. The NIA on Tuesday searched the offices of the state CIU which was headed by Vaze and took away laptops and mobile phones.