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Journalism of Courage
When the Mumbai police produce their chargesheet on alleged al Qaeda terrorist Mohammed Afroz in court on Tuesday, police commissioner M N Singh, who has personally handled the case right from the beginning, won’t be around to witness it. Singh has gone on leave — he left today with his family for a six-day vacation to his native Uttar Pradesh.
| Commissioner M.N. Singh |
Police sources told The Indian Express that the commissioner’s office had bombarded the Home Department with phone calls to confirm that Singh’s vacation had been sanctioned. According to procedure, an IPS officer must apply to the Home Department for leave in advance.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sridhar Vagal, who is handling matters at the commissionerate in Singh’s absence, said he didn’t know very much about the Afroz case, but refused further comment.
The special judge of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Court had asked the police to challenge the removal of charges under POTA against Afroz on April 9. The police also have to give the court a detailed report of their foreign trips, undertaken in the name of investigating the case. Afroz was granted bail on Friday.
