During interrogation, the ED did not get a satisfactory reply from the former minister. Thereafter he was arrested. The former minister will now be produced in the court.
Mumbai: Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has been arrested by the ED in a money laundering case. Earlier, Anil Deshmukh was questioned for 12 hours by the Enforcement Directorate. During interrogation, the ED did not get a satisfactory reply from the former minister. Thereafter he was arrested. The former minister will now be produced in the court.
Earlier, he along with his lawyer had come to the agency's office in Ballard Estate area of south Mumbai at around 11.40 am. Officials had said that the Central Investigation Agency has recorded the statement of the 71-year-old Nationalist Congress Party leader under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the criminal investigation being conducted in the Maharashtra Police Establishment in connection with the alleged bribery and recovery of Rs 100 crore. Deshmukh had to resign in April due to allegations of extortion.
ED had issued summons 5 times
Earlier, Deshmukh did not appear before the ED despite summoning him five times. He later appeared before the agency after the Bombay High Court refused to quash the summons last week. The NCP leader said that he has demanded only a transparent and fair investigation without any fear or favour.
False allegations against me
In a statement issued by Deshmukh, it was said that I am eager to appear before such impartial authorities and expose the lies of the allegations leveled against me. I hope the Enforcement Directorate officials will act in a fair manner and also clear the doubts about my cooperation in the investigation. A false story, a false impression is being created by some vested interests, that I am avoiding appearing before the Enforcement Directorate. Undoubtedly, such propaganda is absolutely baseless.