ED attaches Rs 4-crore worth assets in money laundering case against Anil Deshmukh

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached immovable assets worth Rs 4.20 crore belonging to former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and his family in connection with a money laundering case, officials said on Friday.

The attached assets are in the form of one residential flat valued at Rs 1.54 crore, located in Mumbai's Worli and 25 land parcels of book value Rs 2.67 crore, located in Dhutum villages in Raigarh district of Maharashtra.

Officials said a provisional attachment order has been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

THE CASE AGAINST ANIL DESHMUKH

A case has been registered against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh for his alleged involvement in corruption and extortion case.

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Parambir Singh had alleged that Anil Deshmukh had asked suspended police officer Sachin Vaze and few others to extort Rs 100 crore for him every month by targeting bars and restaurants.

Following Parambir Singh's allegations, petitions were filed in the Bombay High Court seeking case be registered against Anil Deshmukh. The Bombay court then ordered a preliminary enquiry by the CBI. Later, an FIR was registered against Deshmukh.

After the CBI, the ED also registered a case and conducted searches at various premises belonging to Anil Deshmukh and people close to him.

Last month, the ED arrested Anil Deshmukh PA Kundan Shinde and PS Sanjeev Palande, and also summoned Deshmukh and his family members.

Deshmukh has skipped at least three Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons for questioning. His son Hrishikesh and wife were also summoned by the federal probe agency but they too refused to depose.

Meanwhile, Anil Deshmukh approached the Supreme Court seeking protection against anti-coercive actions against him and his family members.

ABOUT ASSETS WORTH RS 4.20 CRORE

The investigation under the PMLA revealed that Anil Deshmukh, while acting as the Maharashtra home minister, received illegal gratification of approximately Rs 4.70 crore in cash from various orchestra bar owners, through Sachin Vaze.

Further, with the help of Delhi-based dummy companies, Anil Deshmukh's family laundered the tainted money of Rs 4.18 crore and projected it as untainted by showing the same as amount received in the trust namely Shri Sai Shikshan Sanstha.

The investigation further revealed that the flat located in Worli -- which is beneficially owned by Anil Deshmukh -- is registered in the name of his wife Aarti Deshmukh.

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It was found that the entire payment was made through cash only in 2004. However, a sale deed was done in February 2020 when Anil Deshmukh was the home minister of Maharashtra.

Further, Deshmukh's family has acquired 50 per cent ownership in M/s Premier Port Links Pvt. Ltd. including assets -- land and shops -- valued at approximately Rs 5.34 crore (book value), by paying merely the amount of Rs 17.95 lakh, that too after a substantial gap.

Deshmukh, an NCP leader, has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyers have called the ED action against him unjustified, and the ex-minister recently approached the Supreme Court with a petition seeking protection from any coercive action by the ED.