NCP leader Anil Deshmukh steps down from Maharashtra Home Minister post

Mumbai:Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has resigned from his post, NCP national spokesperson and Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik said.

Earlier in the day, the Bombay High Court asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the corruption allegations leveled against Deshmukh by former Mumbai Commissioner of Police Param Bir Singh.

“Soon after the high court directives, Deshmukh met NCP president Sharad Pawar and offered to resign to ensure an impartial probe. After the nod, Deshmukh has gone to meet Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to submit his resignation,” Malik said.

Param Bir Singh had alleged that Deshmukh had asked him to collect a total of Rs 100 crore every month from clubs and other places. He had also accused the NCP leader of interfering in police's day-to-day affairs.Singh was transferred by the Maharashtra government over bomb scare at Mukesh Ambani residence.

Dilip Walse Patil to replace Anil Deshmukh as Maha Home Minister

Mumbai:Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has sent a letter to the state Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, requesting him to accept the resignation of state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, who tendered his resignation on Monday after High Court asked CBI to probe the corruption allegations leveled against him.

The letter also said that Dilip Walse Patil should be given charge of the home department.

The letter also requested Mr Patil to hand over the additional charge of Labor Department to Hasan Mushrif and State Excise Department to Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar.

"Soon after the High Court directives, Deshmukh met NCP president Sharad Pawar and offered to resign to ensure an impartial probe. After the nod, Deshmukh has gone to meet the CM to submit his resignation," NCP national spokesperson and Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik said.

Erstwhile Mumbai commissioner Param Bir Singh, in a letter to the CM last month, had alleged that Deshmukh had asked suspended ASI Sachin Waze to collect 100 crore Rs every month, including 40 crores from bars and restaurants. He had also accused the NCP leader of interfering in police's day-to-day affair.(UNI)