[Param Bir Singh case] "Media reports don't bother us:" Supreme Court on Maharashtra govt's remarks against judiciary

The Supreme Court on Thursday observed that it is not impacted by media reports and will decide cases unaffected by such reports..A Bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and MM Sundresh said that there were some media reports yesterday in which the Maharashtra government stated that it might not get a fair hearing from the judiciary."Media reports don't bother us. Yesterday Maharashtra government officials made statements that they may not get a fair hearing by the judiciary and it was in press today and we read it. But this has not bothered us. We put it in the dustbin where it belongs," he said..The Court was hearing a plea filed by Senior IPS officer Param Bir Singh against a September 16 judgment of the Bombay High Court which had dismissed the petition filed by Singh challenging two preliminary inquiries initiated against him by the Maharashtra government. Singh has also sought transfer of the probe regarding the same to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).Singh's counsel, Senior Advocate Puneet Bali, told the Court that an independent probe by CBI is essential in the case."My police officers were called and asked to collect 100 crores from bars etc for (former State) Home Minister. This disturbs us and Mr Sharad Pawar concedes this. When this catches fire, I am transferred and Home Minister says there was dereliction of duty on my part," Bali submitted. He was referring to the episode between former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and Singh."This (cases filed by Maharshtra government) is a clear case of victimisation since this was based on baseless allegations. Look at the price I paid to fight this out. Suppose CBI finds something against me, I will face the music," Bali said.Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, representing the CBI, also said that the CBI should probe the case. "The issue needs to be probed by CBI for a thorough and impartial probe. If any other agency also probes this along with CBI then it may create hurdle and overlapping of subject matter. There cannot be parallel investigation," he said.Senior Advocate Darius Khambata, appearing for the State government, opposed the prayer for transfer of probe to CBI."Param Bir Singh seeks to adopt the mantle of a whistleblower now after being at the head of this system. He writes this letter and somehow he thinks that this letter will grant him some kind of immunity," Khambata contended. "No, he is not claiming any immunity...He says investigate everything against me. Here a very murky affair is going on amid echelons of power on who should investigate...Let me make it very clear that I don't consider Param Bir Singh as a whistleblower. But a thorough investigation here is also in the interest of the State," said Justice Kaul "Please do not demoralise the police officers of Maharashtra who are a sterling police force," Khambata said.The Court suggested the solution of transferring the cases to CBI and to seek a status report."Suppose we transfer all cases to CBI and call for a report here. We are thinking out aloud. This way there can be better accountability," said Justice Kaul."May I take instructions on this proposal and come back at 2 pm," Khambata asked to which the Court agreed.