The Maharashtra government is likely to chargesheet former Mumbai police commissioner R S Sharma on the basis of observations of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the multi-crore fake stamp paper scandal. Since Sharma has been held guilty for ‘‘acts of omission and commission’’, the state government is likely to invoke provisions of the All India Service (Conduct and Appeal) Rules to initiate disciplinary proceedings against him, said a senior home department official. According to the official, as per procedures laid down under the All India Service (Conduct and Appeal) Rules, Sharma will have to clarify his stand on each and every charge levelled against him by the SIT. Both Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and Director General of Police S M Shingari declined to comment on the nature of disciplinary action being considered against Sharma. ‘‘I have no comments,’’ said Bhujbal. Shingari said the Home Department looks at cases that deal with disciplinary action against IPS officials. He had no idea about what kind of disciplinary action was being considered against Sharma, he added. Sharma is due to retire on November 30. He went on leave as Police Commissioner after the SIT submitted its report. Subsequently, he was posted as Additional Director General (Administration). But Sharma did not report for his new assignment, and was transferred again, to Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation as Director (Vigilance). Sharma’s role in the fake stamp investigation came under sharp focus after the government appointed Subodh Jaiswal to probe into specific allegations against the officer of shielding those involved in the stamp paper scandal. In his 104-page report, Jaiswal argued that it was a strategic error on Sharma’s part to insist upon timely application of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act against the main accused. However, the Home Department did not accept Jaiswal’s recommendations against Sharma. Subsequently, after a PIL was filed by anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, the Bombay High Court appointed S.S. Puri to lead a probe into involvement of police officers, including Sharma, in the scandal. Puri cited nine specific ‘‘acts of omission and commission’’ against the former Mumbai police commissioner. His report was forwarded to Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde for action.
