However, after the sudden action created a flutter, the Maharashtra government climbed down in the evening and said he would continue to “supervise” the investigation.“The government has decided that the Sheena Bora case will be continued to be supervised by Rakesh Maria, irrespective of his elevation and transfer,” Additional Chief Secretary (Home) K P Bakshi said.
On a day of high drama, Maria was replaced by Ahmed Javed, a DG-rank official, who took over as Mumbai Police Commissioner in the upgraded post. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had cleared both the appointments before he left for Japan last night.
With questions raised over the timing of the transfer, and the heat it generated in the media, Fadnavis directed that Maria be retained to supervise the investigations.
Maria, who had recently hogged limelight after a video of his meeting in July, 2014 with former IPL chief Lalit Modi in London surfaced, apparently took unusual interest when he frequently went to Khar police station for questioning the accused including Indrani Mukerjea, mother of Sheena.
As various theories floated over the reasons for Maria’s transfer, the Maharashtra Home Department had said the changes were made taking into account the law and order factor ahead of the Ganapati festival, dismissing suggestions that it has some links with the ongoing investigation in the murder case.
“Maria has been promoted to the Director General rank and posted as the DG of Home Guards in Mumbai in place of Ahmed Javed. Javed, who was DG, Home Guards, becomes the new Mumbai Police Commissioner,” K P Bakshi said.
Javed, immediately after taking over as Mumbai Police chief, said the probe into the murder case will be done in a professional way, when he was asked whether he would be investigating it personally.
“The accused are currently in judicial custody. The probe will be done with proper team work. So far as investigation goes, it is over at this point of time. As far as investigation which goes on in connection with evidence, I think any case which is important or having a bearing with will be monitored in the right professional way,” he said, adding that all aspects including the financial angle would be investigated.
Minister of State for Home Ranjit Pati said Maria could continue to monitor the probe despite his elevation to the DG rank, which was due this month-end.
“Investigation is 95 <g data-gr-id="61">per cent</g> complete. There will be no implication for the investigation. I don’t think the direction of investigation will change if Maria is not at the helm. If he wants (still) to handle the case, the choice is open,” Patil said.
He said, “We need to give the new man (Javed) at least ten days to settle down. Smooth conduct of the Ganesh festival is a challenge for the Mumbai Police,” he said.