MUMBAI, May 13: Chief minister Manohar Joshi, today talking to the press after attending the weekly Cabinet meeting, dismissed criticism which erupted against the government's decision to transfer Deputy Commissioner of Police, Sanjay Pandey, who was in charge of the Economic Offences Wing.

``It is a routine transfer. There was absolutely no political interference in the decision,'' Joshi said. Defending the decision, Joshi said certainly Pandey will be replaced by another good officer, who will continue the investigations more effectively.

``I am sure that the ongoing investigations, particularly the Rs 1000 crore shoe scam and the fraud in Abhyudaya Cooperative Bank will not be affected following Pandey's transfer. Whatever he was doing, it was his duty,'' Joshi remarked.

Replying to a question he said, it was his government that unearthed the shoe scam and entrusted the task to the crime branch. ``Even before Pandey joined the Economic Offences Wing, the investigations were in full swing,'' he added.

The Sena-BJP government had unceremoniously shunted out Pandey on Friday. He was transferred to Jalna as the Principal of the Police Training School.

Amidst rumours that Pandey will proceed on leave, Joshi said, currently, he is on a 10 days leave.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.