ED issues lookout notice against ex-Maha home minister Anil Deshmukh in money laundering case

Pune : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a lookout notice against NCP leader and former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh in connection with a money laundering case, sources said on Monday.

A top official of Enforcement Directorate said that the lookout circular was issued to prevent Deshmukh from fleeing the country.

The ED officials say that Deshmukh has skipped various summons issued by the agency.

This development comes after the Supreme Court had refused to offer Deshmukh interim relief from coercive action in the lawsuit last month.

The former home minister had earlier moved the Bombay High Court on September 2 seeking to quash the agency’s summons. The plea, however, was not taken up for hearing immediately.

The ED has till now issued five summons to Deshmukh in the matter. However, Deshmukh skipped every summons and failed to appear before the agency, saying he would be seeking appropriate remedy available under law.

ED registered its money laundering case against Deshmukh and others based on a corruption case filed against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Deshmukh is accused of allegedly misusing his post while serving as Home Minister. It is also alleged that the leader through dismissed police officer Sachin Waze collected Rs 4.70 crore from various bars and restaurants in Mumbai. The money was allegedly laundered to the Nagpur-based Shri Sai Shikshan Sansthan, an educational trust controlled by Deshmukh’s family.

Former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh had levelled corruption charges against Deshmukh.

Subsequently, the CBI filed an FIR against Deshmukh on April 21 this year based on a Bombay High Court ruling on April 5.

Deshmukh has denied the charges.

His son-in-law was previously questioned by the CBI regarding the leak of an inquiry report.