Former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh, who is facing extortion charges in several cases in Maharashtra, left the Crime Branch of the Mumbai Police on Thursday, 25 November, after nearly seven hours of questioning.
"I have joined the investigation (in a case of extortion) today, as per the order of the Supreme Court. I am cooperating in the investigation and I have full faith in the court," Singh was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Singh had earlier spoken to a TV news reporter and confirmed his location as being in Chandigarh, according to media reports on Wednesday.
According to PTI, Singh, who has been declared a “proclaimed offender” by a Mumbai court, had also said that he would be visiting Mumbai soon.
Previously, senior advocate Puneet Bali, who was appearing for Singh in court proceedings, had stated in the court that he was in hiding as he faced a threat to his life from Mumbai Police.
Reacting on the same, the Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse on Thursday, 25 November, said, "Shocked to know that the man who served as Police Commissioner of Mumbai & Thane, held important posts feels a threat to his life," reported ANI.
"If he feels a threat to his life from someone, we may look into it if he tells us, we don't know where is he," he had added.
The Supreme Court on Monday had granted protection from arrest to Singh in the alleged extortion case and directed him to join the probe into the matter.
Earlier in the hearing, Singh's advocate had told the Supreme Court that the IPS officer was very much in the country and not absconding, reported LiveLaw. Singh's advocate had also stated that the former Mumbai Police chief could appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) within 48 hours.
The Supreme Court had previously asked Singh to disclose his whereabouts before agreeing to hear his plea for protection against arrest.
(With inputs from NDTV & ANI.)
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