Anil Deshmukh main conspirator in money laundering case: ED to Mumbai court

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has opposed the bail application filed by former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, contending that he was the main conspirator and brain behind the conspiracy that led to the money-laundering case that the agency is currently investigating. .In a 61-page reply filed through advocate Shreeram Shirsat, the ED stated that Deshmukh played a significant role in generating and laundering the proceeds of crime which was collected from bar owners, and projected the same as untainted by depicting it as legitimate donations. "Applicant (Deshmukh) is the main conspirator and the brain behind the whole conspiracy and the brain behind the whole conspiracy to collect money from bar owners," the reply said.The ED clarified that Deshmukh had always been the prime suspect in the FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).When he was summoned five times, he approached courts challenging the same. However, Deshmukh neither co-operated nor appeared before the agency until disposal of those petitions, it was submitted.The ED opposed the bail plea stating that Deshmukh is an influential person having deep political roots and there is every likelihood of him obfuscating the trail of proceeds of crime. .The ED alleged that Deshmukh was directly involved in generation and laundering of proceeds of crime. The ED claimed the following was Deshmukh's role in the offence.Was the mastermind of the entire conspiracy;Received illegal gratification amounting to ₹4.70 crores in cash through dismissed cop Sachin Waze;Transferred that money with the help of his son to businessmen who were co-accused in the case who infused the same into a banking channel and from there it was brought back to Deshmukh's family owned trust and shell companies;Exercised undue influence over transfer and posting of officials..Deshmukh was arrested on November 2, 2021 after a 12-hour interrogation by the ED and remanded to ED custody that was was extended till November 15 by the Bombay High Court, after which the NCP leader was sent to judicial custody where he remains till date.His present bail application came 10 days after the Special Court rejected his default bail application.