'Sr cop may have 'fabricated' CD'

MUMBAI: Over a year after a senior BJP leader submitted a sensational CD to the legislative assembly, the home department led by senior NCP leader R R Patil is likely to conduct a high-level probe against a DCP for alleged involvement in its fabrication.
Devendra Phadnavis (BJP) had alleged that if the CD's contents were to be believed, Pune businessman Hasan Ali was in touch with Congress leaders and cabinet members and that there was a discussion on the appointment of a new police commissioner.Patil had entrusted the case to the CID as it was mentioned that even the home minister attended one of the meetings.
In a report, additional director-general (CID) M K Karve said it appears the DCP, who interrogated Ali several times, was instrumental in fabricating the CD.
When CID sleuths recorded the DCP's statement, he confirmed the voice in the CD was his, but said he had never recorded his conversation with Ali. "The DCP has not given us the information on the recordings. He admitted that he questioned Ali and that it was his voice in the CD. We feel the recording was by none other than the DCP himself, with a pen camera. We are not sure of his intentions,'' Karve said in the confidential report.
The CID also found the DCP's claim that whenever Ali was interrogated, at least two of his zone officials were present, was misleading.
Karve said two CDs were fabricated to damage the image of the Congress-led Democratic Front government, particularly over the issue of appointment and transfer of senior Indian Police Service officials. "There appears to be a conspiracy to damage the (image of the) government,'' he said. As per the CID report, Ali was in JJ Hospital from December 21 to 23, 2008, which the DCP used to visit quite frequently to interrogate him. His associates told the CID sleuths that by and large during interrogation, only the DCP used to be present, while others were told to leave the hospital room.
"We have received the CID report. We have sought instructions from the home minister. Once the proposal is processed, we will decide the action,'' a senior home department official said.