MUMBAI, June 23: The Bombay High Court today ordered the state government to file detailed affidavit on the transfer of deputy commissioner of police Sanjay Pandey.

The division bench of Chief Justice M B Shah and Justice Ranjana Desai perused the transfer-related files and observed that there were no details as to why and how was Pandey transferred.

Government counsel Bal Apte said Pandey's transfer was a ``routine matter'' and not an ``isolated case.'' He said 27 senior police officers, who had completed four years of service, were also transferred along with Pandey. Sona Pardasani and Pradeep Havnur represented Asmita Jyoti, a non-governmental organisation which has moved the HC challenging Pandey's transfer.

Pardasani reiterated the earlier contention that political bigwigs involved in the cobblers' scam, especially sealing of shops on May 8 and 9 were threatened by Pandey's investigation and they managed his transfer.

She also pointed out that Pandey was asked to leave by the commissioner of police on May 9, whereas the actual transfer order was signed on May 10. Pardasani said the circumstances clearly showed that this transfer was not a ``routine'' matter.

She also pointed out that they had filed a notice of motion on April 21 fearing the transfer during the cobbler scam inquiry.

But the state government had ruled out the likelihood of such a transfer.

Therefore, the CJ today questioned the sudden decision to transfer Pandey.

Apte said Pandey was not the sole police officer in the know of the cobbler scam.

Kirtikar lauds MHADA officials Minister of State for Home Gajanan Kirtikar has thanked officials of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and the collector's office for the demolition of thousands of huts on nearly 72 acres of land at Bhabrekar Nagar, Kandivli (W).

He was speaking while on a survey of the recent landslide at Akurli village, which had claimed four lives.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.