A division bench of Justices SS Shinde and NJ Jamadar said the ED can file its affidavit in response to the petition, if necessary.
The Bombay High Court on Thursday said it will hear his plea on September 29 Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh Against the issuance of summons to him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case.
A division bench of Justices SS Shinde and NJ Jamadar said the ED can file its affidavit in response to the petition, if necessary.
Mr Deshmukh had earlier this month filed the petition seeking quashing of five summons issued by the ED, and said the case was a result of “political vendetta”.
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Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the ED on Thursday, sought a virtual hearing of the matter to enable Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta to appear for the agency and argue.
However, senior advocate Vikram Choudhary and advocate Aniket Nikam, appearing for Deshmukh, argued that the court should hear the matter only on Thursday to grant interim protection from any coercive action.
“ED has been indulging in downplaying tactics. This petition reflects an unfortunate situation. strategy [used by the ED]are condemnable,” argued Mr. Choudhary.
The High Court said that it will hear all the arguments raised in the petition on September 29.
The High Court said, ‘The ED can file its reply if it considers necessary.
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The ED had launched a probe against Mr Deshmukh and his associates after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed an FIR against the Nationalist Congress Party leader on charges of corruption and abuse of official position on April 21 this year.
Mr Deshmukh, in his plea, said the agency’s entire case was based on “malicious statements” made by sacked police officer Sachin Vaze, who is currently jailed in connection with an SUV laden with explosives near the residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani. . More businessman Mansukh Hiran murdered in Mumbai. Mr Deshmukh denied the ED’s claims that while serving as Home Minister, he abused his official position and collected ₹4.70 crore from various bars and restaurants in Mumbai through Waze.
The money was allegedly laundered to the Nagpur-based Sri Sai Shikshan Sansthan, an educational trust controlled by Mr Deshmukh’s family.
“Complete claim of Waze paying ₹4.70 crore to the applicant [Deshmukh] And the same amount being remitted by the applicant’s family is factually incorrect,” the petition said.
It said the amount received to Sri Sai Educational Institute was a donation made prior to the period in which Vaze alleged that he had illegally received bribes from bars and restaurants.
“No cash was ever received as illegal bribe from the bar owners as claimed by Waze,” the petition said.
The ED has so far arrested two persons in the case – Sanjeev Palande (an additional collector rank officer who was serving as Mr. Deshmukh’s personal secretary) and Kundan Shinde (Mr. Deshmukh’s personal assistant).
The agency had last month submitted a prosecution complaint (equivalent to a charge sheet) against the two before a special court.
The CBI had registered an FIR against Deshmukh on April 5 this year after conducting a preliminary inquiry against the NCP leader following a High Court order. Mr Deshmukh resigned as Home Minister on 5 April, but has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
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