HC refuses to cancel Pujari's transfer

Mumbai, May 12 (UNI) Bombay High Court today refused to cancel the transfer of controversial Assistant Police Commissioner Sudhakar Pujari of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), but allowed him to continue as an investigating officer in the multi-crore Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) scam involving several police officials and bureaucrats.

Pujari was recently transferred from ACB to Control Room of the Mumbai Police.

Vacation Judge Roshan S Dalvi, while granting interim relief, directed that Pujari should resume his new post but continue with the investigation of the scam. He then adjourned the proceeding till June 7, when the court will resume sittings after vacation.

The court passed an order follwing a petition filed by city-based advocate Varsha Sawant on May 10, challenging Pujari's transfer.

She had alleged that the transfer of Pujari was with malafide intention. Also, it was in violation of earlier High Court directive, which had given Pujari a free hand for conducting the probe till its conclusion without any interference.

She also alleged in the petition that Pujari's transfer in the midst of the probe would give a wrong signal to the public at large. Therefore, in the interest of fair and impartial investigation of the scam, his transfer should be stayed.

While the court directed the State government to file an affidavit, in their reply today, it was stated that Pujari's transfer was a routine transfer, as it was the nature of the job and the State had the right to transfer its employees as and when required. However, the allegation labelled by the petitioner was denied.

Meanwhile Pujari also appeared in court and said that the investigation is still going on and the ACB is gathering evidences against 12-13 persons who are likely to be arrested soon.

UNI XR-ARM ADG VD RS1912