The Shiv Sena on Wednesday asked why the government was not backing Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria the same way as it was doing so in the case of its leaders Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhra Raje in the Lalit Modi controversy.
“What Lalit Modi has done with IPL may be an issue of contention but the Mumbai Police Commissioner has no right to handcuff him and bring him back here or to Delhi when he is living in London with the permission of authorities,” the Sena said.
Heaping praises on Mr. Maria, the Sena said he was the man behind not letting the city become a soft target for terrorists and that he should be credited for ending gang wars and hooliganism in Mumbai.
“Looking at all these, if aspersions are still cast on Maria’s meet with Modi, it will mean making a mountain out of a molehill. The BJP has made it clear that it stands firmly behind Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje and they will continue to remain on their posts. Then, why not the same justice for a brave officer like Maria,” the Sena asked.
Ms. Swaraj and Ms. Raje have been facing flak for helping Mr. Lalit Modi in procuring travel documents in the U.K.
Our Correspondent Alok Deshpande adds:
'Maria-Lalit Modi meet arranged by influential leader'
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister, Prithviraj Chavan on Monday alleged that the meeting between Mumbai Police Commissioner and Mr. Lalit Modi in London was arranged by an influential political leader.
“I am unable to tell you the exact outcome of the meeting, but I am sure the meeting was arranged by an influential political person,” he had said.
Mr. Maria submitted a report on his meeting with Mr. Lalit Modi to the Maharashtra government, as directed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
According to sources in the Home Ministry, Mr. Maria said in the report that he had met Mr. Lalit Modi through his lawyer, and there was no involvement of anyone else. > More..
