The ED started investigation against Anil Deshmukh after the CBI registered an FIR against him on April 21. (file)
Mumbai:
A special PMLA court in Mumbai has taken cognizance of the charge sheet filed against former policeman Sachin Vaze and others in an alleged money laundering case, observing that the money trail prima facie indicates that former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has received Rs 4.7 crore from Mr. received. Vaze and his colleague Kundan Shinde.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had earlier this month filed a chargesheet against Mr. Vez, Mr. Deshmukh’s private secretary (an additional collector-rank officer) Sanjeev Palande, personal assistant Shinde and 11 others.
Special Judge MG Deshpande took cognizance of the chargesheet on September 16 and the detailed order of the court was made available on Saturday.
“A careful study of the statements and allegations prima facie indicates that Anil Deshmukh received Rs 4.7 crore from Sachin Vaze and Kundan Shinde,” the court said in its order.
It further noted that Mr Deshmukh then “transferred through” the said cashhawala“On the instructions of Hrishikesh Deshmukh, all the accused in the case Surendra Jain and Virendra Jain.
The court said the money through companies, which are only on paper, “was deposited in the account of Sri Sai Educational Institute, which was owned by (Mr) Deshmukh.”
There are prima facie sufficient grounds for taking action against the accused under the relevant provisions of PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act).
Hrishikesh Deshmukh is the son of former state minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh.
Mr Vaze, who was earlier an assistant inspector with the Mumbai Police, was arrested in March this year in connection with an SUV laden with explosives near the residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani in Mumbai.
Taking cognizance of the chargesheet, the PMLA court has issued summons to all the accused. The hearing of the case has been adjourned till September 27.
The ED launched an investigation against Mr Deshmukh and his associates after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed an FIR against the NCP leader on April 21 this year following corruption charges leveled by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.
The CBI had registered an FIR against Mr Deshmukh after the agency conducted a preliminary inquiry against him for alleged corruption, as directed by the Bombay High Court.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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