Mumbai, Jan 3 (Inditop.com) The Maharashtra government has ordered suspension of the five policemen caught partying with mafia dons at a private gymkhana club last week, a top official said Sunday.

The suspension of the officials follows a recommendation made by Mumbai Police Commissioner D. Shivanandan Saturday to the state government.

The police gathered sufficient evidence in the matter to merit recommending the suspension of the five cops, said the official.

Based on the recommendations of the city police chief, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan late Saturday ordered the suspension of the officers pending a departmental inquiry against them, the official told Inditop.

The officers who were present at mafia don D.K. Rao’s Christmas eve party reportedly include: Deputy Commissioner of Police Vishwas Salve, Assistant Commissioner of Police Prakash Wani, Senior Police Inspector R.S. Khakale, Crime Branch Inspector S. Khalatkar and constable T. Salunkhe.

The party was ostensibly to celebrate the acquittal of Rao, an alleged henchman of underworld don Chhota Rajan, in 31 serious criminal cases.

It took place in a private club in Chembur, a northeast Mumbai suburb where the policemen were seen eating, drinking and dancing with men from the underworld.