Stamp paper probe taken away from Pune cops

The case has seen a bitter open fight between Pune’s two senior cops — Commissioner R S Sharma and Additional Commissioner S M Mushreef.

Basak expressed strong displeasure over the manner in which some senior officers went public with their grievances. ‘‘It is a very sensitive case. If any of the officers has a doubt on the nature of investigations or doubt about the integrity of investigating officers, he should have taken it up with the higher authorities. Rushing to the media is not expected from officials. We have taken serious note of the statements made by some of the police officers, since it amounts to gross indiscipline. We will never tolerate it,’’ Basak said.

Basak confirmed that Additional Commissioner Mushreef, who was supervising the investigations, has been shunted out of the Pune Commissionerate.

Soon after the cold war between senior police officers began, Basak had convened a special meeting, which was attended by Commissioner R S Sharma, Mushreef and Deputy Commissioner P D Jadhav. Even after the meeting, the fight continued. While the case was handed over to the state CID, Mushreef was transferred with immediate effect.

Mushreef’s contention was that two innocent persons, who were not even remotely connected with the case, were wrongly booked by the investigating officers. Mushreef later had publicly expressed doubts over the investigations into the scandal. On Sunday, when Mushreef was removed, he demanded the transfer of Pune Police Commissioner Sharma too.