The Enforcement Directorate has registered a money laundering case against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. Nationalist Congress Party leader, Deshmukh, is booked under the anti-money laundering law for alleged bribery case.
An ED official related to the case investigation said, “A case of money laundering has been registered under PMLA against Deshmukh.” The case is registered under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The central probe agency now may summon Anil Deshmukh for questioning. This decision comes a fortnight after CBI had booked the NCP leader under the allegation of misuse of office and corruption on April 24.
The Bombay High Court had asked CBI to probe the allegations of bribery made by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh. Following the orders, CBI had registered a preliminary inquiry on April 6. After Bombay High Court’s ruling, Deshmukh resigned as the Home Minister of the State.
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Now, the agency will probe if illicit funds were generated in the transfer and posting of police officers in Maharashtra. The matter of illegal extortion by cops as alleged by Param Bir Singh will also be investigated.
Param Bir Singh was removed from his post as Police Commissioner after the role of Policeman Sachin Vaze had surfaced during the investigation of explosives near Mukesh Ambani’s house. After his removal, Singh had written a letter to CM Uddhav Thackeray and alleged that Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has asked Vaze to extort over Rs 100 crore a month from bars and restaurants of Mumbai.
CBI had booked Deshmukh and others under IPC Sections related to criminal conspiracy and section of Prevention of Corruption Act. CBI FIR stated, “The preliminary inquiry prima facie revealed that a cognizable offense is made out in the matter, whereon the then home minister of Maharashtra, Shir Amil Deshmukh and unknown others have attempted to obtain undue advantage for the improper and dishonest performance of their public duty.”