The special court has sent former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh to CBI custody till April 11.
Mr. Deshmukh was arrested by the CBI on Wednesday morning and produced in a special court in a corruption case.
CBI counsel Rajmohan Chand told the court that Deshmukh’s personal assistant Kundan Shinde, private secretary Sanjeev Palande and suspended police officer Sachin Waje were in their custody in the case. His confessions have been taken to extort money from the owners of bars and restaurants. Confirming this were the statements of the bar owners and some discrepancies were found. Therefore, the custody of Mr. Deshmukh was required for verification. CBI seeks 10-day custody of Nationalist Congress Party leader.
hearing on bail plea
However, advocate Aniket Nikam, representing Mr Deshmukh, asked why the CBI needed his custody when he appeared before them and cooperated. He informed that his bail plea was listed by the Bombay High Court for hearing on April 8. That’s why the CBI wanted to arrest him. When the whole case and its investigation were in Mumbai/Maharashtra, the authorities want to take a 73-year-old man with medical ailments to Delhi.
Special CBI Judge BC Barde sent Mr. Deshmukh to CBI custody till April 11.
On 1 April, the Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court granted the CBI Mr Deshmukh’s custody after an application was filed on 31 March seeking the same.
Meanwhile, Mr Deshmukh moved the High Court challenging the special court’s order sending him to CBI custody as he was admitted to the Government JJ Hospital due to fracture of his shoulder. On Wednesday, Justices Revathi Mohite-Dere and PD Naik recused themselves from hearing his plea.
in ED custody
Mr. Deshmukh is currently in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate on charges of money laundering. He was taken into CBI custody from Arthur Road Jail, where he has been lodged since November 2021.
Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh wrote a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and alleged that he directed a preliminary inquiry against Mr Deshmukh, after the Bombay High Court on April 5, 2021, the CBI stepped in and alleged that he had directed Mr. Deshmukh ordered. Waze to collect ₹100 cr from bars and restaurants.
Mr Deshmukh has been booked under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (taking bribe other than legal remuneration in respect of an official act).