[Anil Deshmukh Money Laundering case] Mumbai court refuses plea for extension of ED custody

A Mumbai court on Saturday refused the plea to extend the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh in relation to the money laundering case against him..Deshmukh was instead remanded to judicial custody by Additional Sessions Judge PR Sitre for 14 days..Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh along with Advocate Shreeram Shirsat sought further 9 days custody today. Singh submitted that during the entire interrogation period, Deshmukh remained evasive of the question which were asked to him and gave vague answers. .The investigation further revealed that there are 27 companies which are directly or indirectly controlled by Deshmukh's family members and these entities have been utilised for purpose of "infusion of ill-gotten money" of Deshmukh. "During the course of investigation, it is also revealed that there are certain transactions between Deshmukh and his family members, and money has flown subsequently to various companies controlled by Deshmukh", the plea stated. .Singh stated that Deshmukh's custody was essential as certain persons had been called for questioning and to confront with the fact that during recording of statement and custodial interrogation of Deshmukh.The remand application further stated that "due to holidays certain documents could not be obtained and certain persons could not be examined". Deshmukh has emerged as an important cog in the wheels and hence his custody is required, Singh said in conclusion..Opposing the remand, Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhari with Advocate Aniket Nikam and Inderpal Singh contended that the grounds for seeking remand were similar to what had been raised in the previous remand."Whatever grounds were already pressed for in previous hearing have been raised today. How long can a person be in custody? Remand can be granted only if exceptional circumstances are made out in the application" Chaudhari stated. . After hearing the matter, the holiday judge refused ED custody and remanded Deshmukh to 14-day judicial custody. .ED had initiated probe against Deshmukh and his associates after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a first information report (FIR) following a court-directed enquiry into allegations of corruption and misuse of his official position..ED had issued five summons to Deshmukh, to which he responded seeking permission to attend the questioning through his authorised representatives. Deshmukh had not complied with any of the summons.Simultaneously, Deshmukh challenged the summons before the Bombay High Court who dismissed his petition on Friday directing him to take appropriate steps to approach the Courts for anticipatory bail..Deshmukh appeared before the ED officials on Monday, November 1. After interrogation for about 12 hours, Deshmukh was arrested post midnight on Tuesday. The Mumbai court had then allowed ED custody of Deshmukh till today..ED also issued summons to Deshmukh's younger son Hrishikesh Deshmukh. Apprehending arrest in a manner similar to his father, Hrishikesh approached the Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail. Granting time to NCB to file its response, the Court adjourned the hearing on the plea to November 12. The Court refused to grant any interim relief..Chaudhari submitted that the probe by CBI which led to the probe by ED has been rendered insignificant after an FIR has been filed by Mumbai Police where It is alleged that Waze called Singh 'number 1' and was extorting money from restaurants. The plea also stated that ED referred to assets created by Deshmukh over 15 years ago when Hrishikesh was a teenager and had nothing to do with the alleged offence registered now.