Home minister Shinde hobnobbed with Dawood cronies: ex-home secretary

Congress leader Digvijay Singh today rubbished the allegations made by former home secretary R K Singh, who recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, against home minister Sushilkumar Shinde. Hitting out Singh for saying Shinde shielded a businessman close to India's most wanted man Dawood Ibrahim, Digvijaya called him an ''opportunist''.

"Shocked at the opportunistic behaviour of R K Singh ex-HS. Why did he not bring this to the notice of cabinet secretary or the PM," Digvijaya tweeted.

R K Singh had earlier accused Shinde of interfering with Delhi Police postings and meddling in police investigations.

"Shinde prevented the Delhi Police from interrogating a businessman in connection with an IPL (Indian Premier League cricket) match-fixing case. Agencies suspect this man of having links with Dawood," Singh said on Monday.

He also alleged that there was no truth in Shinde's claims that Indian agencies are working closely with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation to nab Dawood.

"There is no assurance from the FBI on Dawood. I was present at that conference," he said.

Working relations between Shinde and Singh were not good when the latter served as home secretary; and Shinde said he had once had to give Singh a ''scolding''.

Digvijaya in his tweet said R K Singh was not morally right in hiding such ''serious'' charges for so long. "His charges are extremely serious and if he kept quiet then he is guilty also of not fulfilling his assigned responsibility. Shocking!''

Questioning R K Singh's credibility, Digvijaya tweeted, "Is it not a fact that he tried to get a post-retirement position from UPA? Is it not a fact that he approached Nitish for a position?"

"Mr Shinde is a seasoned politician and has held responsible positions in state and centre. Such false charges by an ex-HS are condemnable," he added.