Bombay HC grants bail to Anil Deshmukh in Money Laundering Case, Holds Remote chance of fleeing [Read Order]

The Bombay High Court granted bail to Former Maharashtra State Home Minister, Anil Deshmukh in a Money Laundering Case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The Allegations have also been made that in the past as well, the Applicant has indulged in money laundering activities and created various assets in the name of his family members out of unaccounted money and that the applicant was, therefore, actively involved in generation and laundering of the proceeds of crime.

The Applicant allegedly laundered a sum of Rs.13.25 Crores since the year 2011, out of which Rs.2.83 Crores during his tenure as Home Minister, which also comprised a sum of Rs.1.71 Crores, out of Rs.4.70 Crores collected from the Orchestra bar owners through Mr. Sachin Waze.

Appearing for Deshmukh, Senior advocate Vikram Chaudhari sought bail citing health reasons and also had added that it was former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh on whose instructions the alleged extortion amount was collected. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh appearing for ED had, however, invoked the Supreme Court’s observation that money laundering was as serious as murder and terrorism and said the “material” showed the applicant’s direct involvement and criminality and therefore, he should not be granted relief.

Justice N J Jamadar observed that “The Applicant appears to have roots in society. The possibility of fleeing away from justice seems remote. The apprehension on the part of the prosecution of tampering with evidence and threatening the witnesses can be taken care of by imposing appropriate conditions.”

The Court added that the statements by Param Bir Singh and Waze claiming Deshmukh took money from police officers for postings “ex-facie lack the element of certainty as to the source, time and place and “they prima facie appears to be hear-say. ” The court asked Deshmukh to remain within Greater Mumbai, in jurisdiction of special PMLA Court and that he should not tamper with the evidence and establish communication with co-accused.

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