Anil Deshmukh moves Bombay High Court for quashing of ED summons in corruption probe

Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has approached the Bombay High Court seeking quashing of the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case registered against him. .ED had initiated the probe against Deshmukh and his associates after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed an FIR following a Court-directed enquiry into allegations of corruption and misuse of his official position. It was ED's case that while Deshmukh was the Home Minister, he misused his position by directing dismissed Mumbai cop Sachin Waze to collect money to the tune of ₹4.7 crore from various restaurants and bars in Mumbai. It was claimed that Deshmukh had laundered the extorted money to a Nagpur-based trust which was controlled by his family members. .In order to conduct further investigation into these charges, ED issued five summons to Deshmukh asking him to appear before its officials for questioning. Reportedly, Deshmukh skipped all five summons with a response that he was seeking appropriate legal remedy in courts. .Deshmukh had approached the Supreme Court seeking protection against coercive action by ED, but the same was refused. The apex court also directed him to avail alternative remedies available, after which Deshmukh approached the High Court. .Along with quashing of the summons, Deshmukh has sought directions to the ED to permit him to appear for questioning through video conference. He has also sought for the constitution of a Special Investigative Team (SIT) to monitor the probe which is ongoing in ED's Mumbai Zonal Office..Deshmukh's petition came up for hearing before Justice Revati Mohite Dere, who recused herself without assigning any reason. The application will be heard by another bench in due course..In the present case, ED has arrested two persons so far - Deshmukh's private secretary Sanjeev Palande and his personal assistant, Kundan Shinde.The investigating agency also filed its prosecution complaint (which is akin to a chargesheet) before the Special Court in Mumbai. .Palande has also moved the High Court challenging the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) registered against him. It is likely to be heard by a Division Bench of High Court on Thursday.