The CBI on Sunday questioned two personal assistants of former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh in connection with allegations of corruption levelled against him by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.

Following the High Court directive for a CBI probe into the issue, Deshmukh had to resign from his post within hours of the order.

The agency had asked Deshmukh’s personal assistants Sanjeev Palande and Kundan to appear before the CBI team in Mumbai for questioning in connection with the Preliminary Enquiry registered by it following an order of the Bombay High Court.

Sources said the duo appeared around 10.30 am at its office in Mumbai and were questioned for several hours.

In a letter addressed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Singh had alleged that Palande was present when Deshmukh allegedly asked suspended Mumbai Police Assistant Inspector Sachin Vaze to extort over Rs 100 crore a month from bars and restaurants of Mumbai numbering about 1,700, the sources said.

Vaze is facing an NIA probe in the case relating to the parking of an explosive-laden SUV near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s house in Mumbai.

In his statement before the CBI team, Vaze is said to have told the investigators that Kundan was present during one such conversation with the former Maharashtra Home Minister.

The CBI on Tuesday started its preliminary enquiry into the allegations of corruption and bribery against Deshmukh after the Bombay High Court directed to conduct an enquiry within 15 days and submit a report. The High Court’s order came in response to a petition from Singh seeking a CBI probe in the matter.

The agency sent a team of officers from Delhi to Mumbai to carry out the probe.

Till now, the agency has questioned Vaze, Singh and other officers of the Mumbai Police.