Maria's transfer, few weeks before his tenure as the city police chief was to end, raised eyebrows as he was in the middle of the investigation of the high-profile murder case.
Asked about the controversy, Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio and whose government completed one year in the office today, said, "It is the job of the IO (investigating officer) to investigate. The CP's (Commissioner's) job is to supervise.
On September 8, Maria was transferred on promotion as Director General, Home guards, which is considered a low profile posting. He was replaced by Ahmed Javed.
The government had then defended the action by saying that the new commissioner needed some time to settle in ahead of the coming Ganesh festival which poses a mammoth security challenge for Mumbai police.
The authorities had also said that Maria may continue to supervise the Sheena Bora case, but later the case was transferred to CBI.