Court sets free ex-judge accused of mafia links

Twenty-eight months after he was arrested for allegedly committing extortion in league with the underworld, a special court today acquitted Singh of all charges.

Singh was tried under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC. He was suspended from judicial service and later dismissed.

Police alleged Singh had ‘‘hired’’ Shakeel to recover Rs 40 lakh from a chit fund operator for judicial favours. Three years ago they intercepted telephone talks between Singh and Shakeel in this regard.

Designated Judge Abhay Thipsay held that identity of Singh’s voice in telephone conversations with Shakeel was ‘‘doubtful’’.

After his acquittal, Singh said his ‘‘wrongful’’ arrest and incarceration was the result of ‘‘vindictive action’’ by some officers of Mumbai police. He added, ‘‘It is police raj. I was behind bars for 28 months for committing no offence. The draconian law was deliberately used against me.’’

Asked whether he will sue police for harassment, he said he would take a decision only after reading the judgement. ‘‘I worked for 20 years in judicial service without any stigma. The police said I received money but could not prove their case.’’

The judge said the police had not complied with the requisite procedures and permissions to tape phone conversations under Indian Telegraph Act and the MCOCA.

With the J.W. Singh case falling through for ‘‘want of evidence’’, questions have arisen about other cases which too rest on taped phone talk. Another case, now being tried on similar grounds, is the Chori, Chori, Chupke, Chupke case, where film financier Bharat Shah has been accused of links with the underworld. Police are relying on alleged taped phone talks between Shah and Shakeel.