Trial in extortion case against Param Bir Singh to be kept in abeyance

The Supreme Court in March 2020 had directed that the proceedings and investigations into five FIRs pending against Singh be transferred to the CBI from the state police

The Supreme Court in March 2020 had directed that the proceedings and investigations into five FIRs pending against Singh be transferred to the CBI from the state police. (File)

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THE TRIAL in an alleged extortion case against former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh will be kept in abeyance after a magistrate’s court on Wednesday accepted a CBI plea to put the trial on hold.

The CBI had in May approached the court stating that since the further investigation is ongoing, trial is required to be kept in abeyance or postponed till the probe concludes.

The magistrate court allowed the plea stating the case be kept in abeyance till filing of the chargesheet by the CBI.

The Supreme Court in March 2020 had directed that the proceedings and investigations into five FIRs pending against Singh be transferred to the CBI from the state police.

In one of the five cases, an FIR was registered by the Mumbai police crime branch probing extortion based a complaint filed by one Bimal Agarwal, who had alleged that at the instance of the former police chief, then Mumbai police assistant inspector, Sachin Waze, had extorted Rs 9 lakh from him in December 2020-March 2021.

The chargesheet named Singh, Waze, Sumeet Singh and Alpesh Patel as accused.

This was the only case where a chargesheet was filed against Singh.

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The court had also in May granted bail to Singh after he appeared before it. The court considered that two other accused booked in the case were granted bail earlier.

On Wednesday, Waze also filed bail plea before the magistrate court.

“In view of the court proceedings kept in abeyance at the behest of the prosecution, there is no likelihood of the trial commencing any time soon,” his plea said.

The plea said that Waze should also be entitled for benefit under section 436A of the Criminal Procedure Code, where if a person has been detained for more than half of the maximum punishment for the sections he is booked under, he can be released on a personal bond.

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The plea states that he has been booked under sections 384 and 385 of the Indian Penal Code related to extortion where the maximum punishment is three years.

The court sought the CBI’s say on the plea.

Waze has been in custody since March 2021 in connection with the Antilia terror scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case.

Sadaf Modak

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More

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