Lalit Modi was keen to share underworld-related info, says Rakesh Maria

Mumbai: Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria could be in trouble as the state government plans to ask him that why didn’t he inform the then additional chief secretary for home and director general of police (DGP) about his meeting with former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, who is a fugitive accused of money-laundering. Mr Maria was even asked to prove this claim about apprising the then home minister late R.R. Patil.

Interestingly, Mr Maria in his explanation has informed the government that he agreed to meet tainted ex-IPL commissioner only when the latter expressed his desire to share underworld-related information with him and the meeting was held on a street, according to highly placed sources in the government.

Additional chief secretary K.P. Bakshi, who was asked to look into the explanation said, in his report that he did not find any violation of All India Services (Conduct) Rules. The chief minister, however, was found to be unsatisfied with the clarification submitted by the Mumbai police commissioner. “The chief minister wants to know whether Mumbai police commissioner had informed the then ACS (home) and DGP about his meeting as they were his immediate superiors. Further, Mr Maria has also claimed that Patil was intimated, then he must have some documentary evidence to prove his claim. Details about the same will be asked in a fresh notice to be sent to Mr Maria on Friday,” the senior officer added.

Meanwhile, in his explanation, which was submitted to the government on June 22, Mr Maria has claimed that the very first day at London, he refused all the requests made by Modi’s lawyer. But the next day when the lawyer said that Modi wanted to share underworld related information with him in person, he decided to meet him and that too in the open.

“After having dinner with his wife and friends in London, Mr Maria met Modi on a street. Mr Modi shared some information and also demanded police security, which was refused by Mr Maria due to jurisdictional issues. He (Modi) then shared some sensitive inputs. On the basis of that information, anti-extortion cell of the Mumbai police was given certain instructions and proof related to that was attached along with the explanation,” revealed another senior officer, who did not wish to be named.