New Delhi, January 15: Home minister RR Patil said on Thursday the bulletproof jackets given by the Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry is “generous donation”.
After 26/11, various groups and individuals have offered to give bulletproof jackets to the police force, he said.
The donation was aptly approved by the then home minister Jayant Patil and additional chief secretary Chandra Iyengar.
“Many people had come forward for donations for the police department. Like some had come up with water coolers and other stuff, the builders offered to donate the jackets. I don’t think there is anything wrong in that,” he said.
Meanwhile, the state government has informed the Bombay high court that the order of bulletproof jackets (one being worn by late ATS chief Hemant Karkare) was placed as per the demands.
Representing the state, advocate general Ravi Kadam ruled out foul play. “The order was placed as per the requirements. It has to be verified which jacket Karkare wore on 26/11,” Kadam said.
The government has sought two more weeks to file a reply on allegations regarding the purchase of substandard bulletproof jackets.
–Agencies–