Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after 11 am on Saturday. ED is probing a laundering case against the former minister for allegedly directing police officers to extort crores of money from bars and restaurants in Mumbai. The ED officials have also arrested Deshmukh’s personal assistant Kundan Shinde and personal secretary Sanjeev Palande after around nine hours of questioning, under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Both Palande and Shinde will be presented in a special PMLA court on Saturday.
ED Raids at Anil Deshmukh’s properties
ED officials on Friday morning had led searches at several of Deshmukh’s properties, one in Nagpur, another at his two Mumbai residences in Worli and Malabar Hill as well as Shinde and Palande's homes.
Anil Deshmukh and one of his sons were present at their Worli residence.
Both Palande and Shinde were taken to the ED office in south Mumbai after the raids were conducted at their houses.
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Money series from the extortion has been found
According to sources, ED officials have discovered a money trail of Rs 4 crores. This money was extorted from 12 bar owners and was said to be collected by former assistant inspector Sachin Vaze over a few months. This money was deposited to Deshmukh through some shell companies located outside Maharashtra, which are maintained by the leader’s close family members. This proof is enough to take Deshmukh into custody, however, the ED will follow all the system before arresting Deshmukh, sources said.
Deshmukh's secretary, Sanjeev Palande is a prime witness in the case and said to be confidential regarding the information about the alleged extortion and diversion of funds.
Param Bir Singh’s letter
Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh in a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in March accused that Anil Deshmukh had asked Sachin Vaze to extort around Rs 100 crores a month from bars and restaurants. Singh was earlier shunted from his Mumbai police service post.
Following his letter that created havoc in Maharashtra politics, various petitions were filed seeking investigation into the allegations.
Bombay High Court directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary probe and then registered an FIR against Deshmukh. The officials also conducted searches at Deshmukh's residence, offices and the premises of his close associates, while recording statements of various individuals including Deshmukh.
How far ED’s investigation has gone?
After ED’s involvement, a money laundering case was registered and the probe was initiated and statements of various persons in connection with the case were recorded.
On Thursday, deputy commissioner of police Raju Bhujbal was questioned and his statement was recorded by the ED officials. He is presently in charge of the enforcement wing of Mumbai police and has the social service branch under his jurisdiction. This branch conducts checks and raids on pubs, hookah parlours, dance bars and restaurants.
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As per sources, a few other policemen have also been investigated by the ED in the matter.