Author: R H Mendonca, former CP
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: September 18, 2003
The problem arose when you, on becoming
the deputy chief minister, desired posting officers of your choice to particular
places
LONG after he kept his silence and
retired, former commissioner of police R H Mendonca, has spoken up, powerfully.
"It is time to set the record straight."
What Mendonca has to say-he was
once denied permission from the state government to reveal facts to the
media - can make many in the highest offices of the state government squirm.
Especially Deputy Chief Minister
Chhagan Bhujbal, who has claimed recently that he had to conduct a spate
of transfers to break a nexus between Shiv Sena shakha pramukhs and local
police inspectors. "The officers you allude to were posted by me in their
respective positions in Mumbai city strictly according to the norms for
posting and transfers," says Mendonca, dignified, soft-spoken. He insists
there are unrevealed police and state records that tell the real story.
"The problem arose when you, on
becoming the deputy chief minister, desired posting officers of your choice
to particular places in violation of the norms. When you found I was not
willing to comply with your wishes, you resorted to posting officers directly."
Bhujbal, when asked to comment,
lashes back: "I removed some officers who were hand-in-glove with
Sena activists and the nexus had
flourished with Mendonca's blessings."
The former police chief says there
was a clear reason for his voluntary move from the post, "because of your
interference in postings and transfers, I was left with no choice".
Bhujbal insists the government did
not victimise Mendonca. "He was posted as head of a significant department
like the Anti-Corruption Bureau."
Mendonca's parting shot? "If you
believe in fair play, you must let the truth be known to the citizens of
Mumbai, who have the right to know it."
