Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), probing a money laundering case against Anil Deshmukh, summoned the former Maharashtra home minister for questioning at 11 am on 26 Jun.
As per the reports, the officials have arrested his personal assistant Kundan Shinde and personal secretary Sanjeev Palande after around nine hours of questioning, under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), on 25 June.
On 25 June mornings, ED officials reached Deshmukh’s residence in Nagpur, his two Mumbai residences in Worli and Malabar Hill as well as Shinde and Palande’s homes. Anil Deshmukh and one of his sons were present at their Worli residence. After conducting raids at their homes, both Palande and Shinde were brought to the ED office in south Mumbai.
The report further that ED officials have found a money trail of Rs 4 crores that was extorted from around 12 bar owners and collected by former assistant inspector Sachin Vaze over a few months.
This money was allegedly diverted to Deshmukh through some shell companies located outside Maharashtra. The companies are owned by a close relative of Deshmukh’s. As per sources, this evidence is enough to place Deshmukh under arrest. ED officials will follow the required procedure before arresting Deshmukh.
Sanjeev Palande, Deshmukh’s personal secretary, is said to be a key witness in the case and was apparently privy to information regarding the alleged extortion and diversion of funds.
Image Source – Google
