Unofficial list of transfer, postings received by secretary of Anil Deshmukh: ED to Bombay High Court

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has stated that a plea filed by Sanjeev Palande, personal secretary of former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, challenging the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against him ought to be dismissed as they have material to believe he was guilty of offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) [Sanjeev Palande v. State of Maharashtra]. .The ED filed its response through advocate Shreeram Shirsat in Palande’s plea which challenged the validity of certain provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).The investigating agency opposed the plea citing statements they collected from the different accused in the case during their interrogation..In its 28-page-long reply, the ED referred to Palande’s own statement wherein he stated that a list containing reference with regard to transfer and postings of police officers of the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and above along with names of concerned MLAs & MLCs who had given the reference, used to be received at the former Home Minister’s office.Since the list was unofficial in nature, no record was maintained with regard to the same..Palande further stated that the list used to be sent across to the Police Establishment Board as per the directions of Deshmukh, despite knowing that there is no guideline laid out for preparing and forwarding such lists..Palande added that another minister would meet Deshmukh with the list containing the name of police officials and respective places where they have to be transferred along with the names of concerned MLAs & MLCs from Shiv Sena..The ED had initiated a 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.Palande has approached the High court seeking quashing of the ECIR on the ground that he was falsely implicated in the case and the ED failed to make out any offence against him.On June 26, 2021, Palande was arrested and remanded to ED custody for 7 days, post which he was remanded to judicial custody..The ED stated that they had already filed the prosecution complaint before the Special PMLA Court.The prosecution complaint (PC, similar to a chargesheet) had the ECIR attached and had been served to Palande. Additionally since there was now a PC, the ED argued that the prayer for quashing of ECIR was no longer applicable. .The ED stated that even dismissed Mumbai cop Sachin Waze, co-accused in the case, had claimed in his statement that Palande used to arrange his meetings with Deshmukh and even discuss with Waze about the possibility of increase in collection of money from bar owners..The ED stated that based on their enquiry with Palande and on the basis of material in their possession, they had reason to believe that Palande was guilty of offences alleged against him and the case against him should not be quashed.