In a meeting with journalists, the CM also said that he would try to achieve a consensus in the cabinet over the issue of a bill for ensuring scribes' safety

FOLLOWING a meeting with senior officials at his residence, Varsha, yesterday, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan assured media personnel that the J Dey murder case was poised for an early breakthrough.

In the face of a barrage of questions related to the investigations, the chief minister said, "At least four to five police teams, which have been engaged in the probe, have given some leads.



A breakthrough is expected soon. The police are at a crucial juncture in the case," Chavan said.

Replying to questions on the demand for a CBI probe, the CM said it was too early to make such a demand. "We will give some time to the Mumbai Police.

We can take a call on the CBI probe if they fail to make a breakthrough. I have asked the police to seek the help of any agency they want and gathering the information will take some time," said Chavan.

He also said that he would discuss the proposed legislation to curb attacks on journalists in a cabinet meeting scheduled for today and try and achieve a consensus.

When a reporter asked him if he was happy with the law and order situation in the state, the CM said that making sweeping remarks on such a question was not possible.

He stressed that he did not want to make any statements that could affect the morale of the police force.

Quizzed whether he felt that the underworld had become active again, Chavan said, "Any such incident is not good for the state. We have to ensure that such things do not happen."

On the issue of providing compensation to Dey's family, the CM said a decision would be taken after holding discussions with senior journalists.

Where's Patil?
The chief minister has been keeping a tab on the investigation, instead of the Home Minister, RR Patil, which is normal practice.

Chavan has been seeking daily updates by summoning senior police officials and, at Mantralaya, while the CM met media persons informally and shared information related to the case's progress, Patil avoided meeting the press and making any statements.u00a0

ACP Angle
To a question about the involvement of certain police officers in Dey's murder, Chavan said that there was no evidence that police officials could tamper with proof in the murder case. He said necessary action would be taken if that happened.

A number of questions were also asked about the transfer of ACP Anil Mahabole, but the CM replied that the proposal had never come to him and that he had not signed the orders.

According to Chavan the proposal for Mahabole's transfer should have come to him as per procedure. An official, however, said that it was not a transfer but an attachment order to a particular section of the city police.

Mahabole, who was heading the Azad Maidan police division, was abruptly shunted to the Local Arms control room on Monday, with Shashikant Satav replacing him.