Ramakant Padwal, assistant commissioner of Mumbai police, crime branch, was on Saturday suspended for his role in the fake stamp paper scam, sources told rediff.com

The Special Investigation Team probing the racket had questioned Padwal, who was on leave and was due to retire on November 30, many times.

The Stamp Scam: The Complete Coverage

Padwal allegedly kept mum when Assistant Inspector Dilip Kamath allegedly extended favours to Telgi when he was in police custody.

Padwal was fully aware of the activities of Kamath and his immediate superior, Inspector Dattatraya Dhal, but never objected, SIT sources said.

He is the third police officer to have been suspended in connection with the case. Five officers -- including Joint Commissioner Sridhar Vagal, have been arrested.

In a related development, indicted former commissioner R S Sharma, who is also due to retire on November 30, failed to turn up for questioning despite being summoned by the SIT. He cited personal reasons for not coming, SIT sources said.