Mumbai: Launching a sensational attack on the Maharashtra government over Anil Deshmukh extortion row, former CM and Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) exposed itself after trying to protect the Home Minister.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday criticised MVA government over Param Bir Singh’s letter row, accusing the state government of ‘protecting’ Maharashtra Home Minister. Devendra Fadnavis released a report of the state intelligence department report which the BJP leader said showed that money transfers took place in high-level postings in Maharashtra’s police force.

“Commissioner of Intelligence sent a report of intercepted calls suspicious to be involved in transfer racket to DG Maharashtra in Aug '20. It was forwarded to CM later & he expressed concern but no action was taken. I have data of 6.3 GB containing all info,” Devendra Fadnavis was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

“When DG inquired about the report, he got to know that it was sent to Home Minister. I am going to Delhi today to meet Union Home Secretary & demand CBI to investigate the matter,” Devendra Fadnavis added.

Criticising the MVA government further, senior leader of BJP also highlighted differences in the explanation put forth by NCP Chief Sharad Pawar at a press conference on Monday. Fadnavis claimed that Pawar was not properly briefed.

"Sharad Pawar addressed a press conference and said claims made by Param Bir Singh are incorrect as Anil Deshmukh was hospitalised and then quarantined. On February 15, Deshmukh came to Mumbai by a private plane and it was said he was home-quarantined,” he told during the press conference. He said, “I have 2 police manifest documents which shows HM Anil Deshmukh’s movements on 17th February and 24th February 2021 in Mumbai.”

Days after he was removed as Mumbai Police Chief, former Mumbai top cop Param Bir Singh on Saturday wrote a letter to the Chief Minister claiming Anil Deshmukh, Home Minister, had asked Sachin Waze and other police officers to collect Rs 100 crore monthly from bars and hotels in Mumbai. Waze is currently in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his alleged role in placing an explosives-laden van outside the Mukesh Ambani’s residence last month.