100 crore recovery case: ED’s biggest action, former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh arrested after 12 hours of interrogation

Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, accused in the 100 crore recovery case, was finally arrested at 12 midnight. They suddenly reached the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office at 11:55 am on Monday after going missing for several days. Deshmukh was summoned by the ED for questioning 5 times, but every time his lawyer Inderpal Singh reached the ED office. His argument was that Deshmukh is 75 years old and he cannot appear due to the increasing cases of corona in Maharashtra.

After 13 hours of interrogation, the ED found that no satisfactory answer was given to any of the questions from Deshmukh’s side. In such a situation, he was arrested and now there is a preparation to present him in the court for custody. ED Assistant Director Taseen Sultan and his team interrogated Deshmukh continuously. Now arrest of some more people is possible in this case. Last week, Deshmukh’s plea was dismissed by the Bombay High Court, seeking quashing of the ED summons.

ED is probing the money laundering angle in the 100 crore recovery case. Deshmukh along with his son Hrishikesh Deshmukh and wife were summoned twice for questioning, but they too did not reach the ED office. It is believed that after Deshmukh, his son and wife may also appear before the ED till today or tomorrow.

Deshmukh issued a video message after the appearance
After appearing before the ED, a video has been posted on Deshmukh’s social media account. In this, Deshmukh said- Whenever the ED summoned, I have cooperated with them. I had already said that my petitions are pending in High Court and Supreme Court. After its disposal, I will come to the ED office. Twice the CBI raided my place, in that too I fully cooperated.

Still my decision has not come in the Supreme Court, but I myself have come to the ED office. Parambir Singh made false allegations against me. Today the same Parambir Singh has fled abroad, such news is coming through the media. Many complaints have been registered against the same Parambir Singh in the police department.

The lawyer had said – the allegations were made to spread sensation
Earlier, in a letter sent through a lawyer, Deshmukh had cited the pending trial of his case in the Supreme Court. Anil Deshmukh, in his letter to the ED, had also accused the agency of misuse of power and authority. He had said that till now I have not been given the copy of ECIR or other documents from ED. Which makes it clear that this summon has been sent only to create sensation in the media.

CBI is also investigating Deshmukh
Former Mumbai Police Commissioner of Police and current Home Guard DG Parambir Singh has accused Anil Deshmukh of extorting Rs 100 crore, for which Anil Deshmukh had to resign as the Home Minister of Maharashtra.

In this case, the CBI had first registered a case against Deshmukh and then after getting information about the money trail in it, the entry of ED took place. ED has registered a money laundering case against him. CBI has also raided Deshmukh’s premises twice.

Deshmukh’s PA and PS have been arrested
Deshmukh’s PA Sanjeev Palande and PS Kundan Shinde were arrested in this case, both of whom are currently in the custody of the central agency. They are accused of helping Deshmukh in money laundering. Here, Deshmukh had written a letter to avoid ED’s questioning.

ED had seized two properties of Deshmukh
In the same case, 15 days ago, assets worth Rs 4.2 crore of Deshmukh and his family were attached. This includes a flat in Nagpur and a land in Panvel. Deshmukh’s PA Sanjeev Palande and PS Kundan Shinde were arrested in the same case, both of whom are currently in the custody of the central agency.

Investigation started after Parambir Singh’s allegation
This case is related to the allegations of recovery against Deshmukh. Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Parambir Singh, in a letter to state Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray about two and a half months ago, alleged that Anil Deshmukh had given a target of recovery of Rs 100 crore to suspended Mumbai Police officer Sachin Wajhe every month.

Deshmukh’s middleman was arrested a day ago
The CBI had made the first arrest on Sunday in a related case. The Central Agency has nabbed Santosh Shankar Jagtap from Thane. He is currently in custody for four days. Jagtap is being described as the middleman of Anil Deshmukh. A few days ago, the CBI had raided several places of Anil Deshmukh in connection with the leak of some confidential documents. On September 2, the investigating agency had arrested Deshmukh’s lawyer Anand Daga and his own sub-inspector Abhishek Tiwari.