Sharma out, now govt grapples with succession issue

Dogged by allegations that he shielded the accused in the multi-crore fake stamp scandal, Mumbai Police Commissioner R.S. Sharma today stepp...

Dogged by allegations that he shielded the accused in the multi-crore fake stamp scandal, Mumbai Police Commissioner R.S. Sharma today stepped down from his post, a fortnight before retirement.

In a clear deviation from traditional norm, Sharma handed over charge to an IPS official of a lower rank: Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Satya Pal Singh. The changeover reflected the tumult in the ranks and within the state administration as it grappled with the controversial issue of appointing Sharma’s successor.

	Guilty should get no support: Sonia

			NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi today said the guilty in the Telgi stamp paper scam should get ‘‘no protection from any quarters’’. In a statement tonight, Sonia said: ‘‘The unfolding of the investigation into the fake stamp paper racket in Maharashtra and other states indicates that this has been a criminal operation of almost unprecedented proportion.’’ ‘‘In order to ensure that such crimes do not happen in future, the investigation should be allowed to take its own course in an unfettered manner,’’ she said. ‘‘All those involved need to be brought to book. No protection from any quarters should be given to those who are guilty,’’ she added. (ENS) Story continues below this ad

In recent days, the Maharashtra government has been petitioned by various groups, including citizens and ex-bureaucrats, to find a worthy candidate to lead the police force in India’s commercial capital.

The post of police commissioner is of the rank of an Additional Director General. The choice of Singh, who is of the rank of an Inspector General, is intended to suggest that this is a stop-gap arrangement until a suitable candidate is found, said sources.

Speculation was rife that Sharma would proceed on leave as he had met Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Thursday and had requested him to relieve him of his charge. Sharma has been blamed for ‘‘acts of commission and omission’’ in a report submitted by the investigators probing the scam.

Sharma met Shinde briefly today in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and Chief Secretary Ajit Nimbalkar. Sources said Sharma reiterated his stance that since some of the blame for earlier lapses in the investigation had been pinned on him, he would prefer to proceed on leave. He said that would facilitate the government in taking a decision on the recommendations made by the investigators.

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Meanwhile, Shinde said he was still studying the report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT). ‘‘I am studying the report. Since the high court has specifically asked me to take a decision on the SIT’s recommendations, I will submit the action-taken report to the court on November 27,’’ he said, adding that in keeping with the principles of natural justice, Sharma would be given an opportunity to present his case before any action is taken against him.

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