Deshmukh writes to Governor again, seeks release of Chandiwal Commission report

Former state home minister Anil Deshmukh has sent a reminder to the Governor of Maharashtra, expressing strong displeasure that the Chandiwal Commission report has still not been made public. He has asked the Governor to intervene constitutionally in the matter.

By way of background, allegations of Rs 100 crore had been made against Deshmukh. The state government had appointed a commission of inquiry headed by retired Bombay High Court judge Justice K. U. Chandiwal in that connection. The commission inquired for about 13 months and submitted a final report of 1,400 pages to the state government. More than four and a half years have passed since the report was submitted. Deshmukh's contention is that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has still not made it public.

Deshmukh had submitted a complaint application to the Governor on June 16, 2026. He has so far sent more than 15 letters to the Chief Minister's Office, including the 14th reminder, sent on October 19, 2026. He says, however, that the Chief Minister has taken no concrete action and has not replied.

After the letters of June 16 and July 31, 2026, the Chief Minister's Office forwarded the matter to the Home Department, the Law and Judiciary Department and the General Administration Department. A follow-up was then made on August 6, 2026 by speed post and email. Even so, no clear information has been received from these departments. In his letter, Deshmukh has alleged that time is being wasted by merely passing correspondence from one department to another.

Putting his case, Deshmukh said the commission was set up to inquire into the alleged charges against him, so knowing the findings and observations in the report is his fundamental right. According to him, release of the report is essential under Article 14 of the Constitution (protection against inequality and arbitrariness) and Article 19(1)(a) (right to information and freedom of expression), and for the values of transparent and accountable governance.

Deshmukh has said the Governor should use her or his constitutional powers under Articles 153, 154, 163 and 166 of the Constitution and take immediate note of the matter. He has also asked that the Governor give appropriate directions or suggestions to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to make the Chandiwal Commission report public without delay. He has also told the Governor in the letter that orders should be issued for a decision within a fixed time, to uphold administrative accountability and transparency.

Deshmukh has also sent copies of the letter to the Chief Secretary, and to the Additional Chief Secretaries or Principal Secretaries of the Home Department, the Law and Judiciary Department and the General Administration Department, for further action.