While rejecting bail application of former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, the court in a detailed order said that there is prima facie proof to indicate that the minister had exercised “undue influence” over transfers and postings of police officials.
The court had rejected Deshmukh’s bail plea on Monday, but the detailed order was made available on Friday.
Arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money-laundering case last year in November, Deshmukh was accused of receiving bribes from co-accused dismissed cop Sachin Waze.
The Minister would give recommendations for transfers and postings of police officials against guidelines issued by the Supreme Court to ensure that there is no political interference, the ED has said. Deshmukh’s recommendations through officials would be submitted to the Police Establishment Board and included in its final order, the agency had claimed.
“There is no reasonable explanation as to why there was deviation from the guidelines issued by the Honourable Supreme Court while effecting transfers and posting during the tenure of the applicant. Prima facie, there is evidence to indicate that the applicant had exercised undue influence over the transfers and postings of police officials,” special judge R K Rokade said.
“There is no reasonable explanation on the part of the applicant in respect of donations received through shell companies. Statement of the applicant is evasive on this aspect of the matter,” the court said, while adding that it can be said that a prima facie case is made out to show that Deshmukh is actively involved in money laundering.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
