Anil Deshmukh Main Beneficiary Of Crime Proceeds: Probe Agency To Court

The Enforcement Directorate, in its remand note, said Anil Deshmukh has emerged as an "important cog in the wheels" in the money laundering case and maintained that the involvement of foreign angle cannot be ruled out.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday told a special holiday court in Mumbai that Anil Deshmukh, Maharashtra's former home minister, was the "prime beneficiary" of proceeds of crime and directly involved in the offence of money laundering in which he has been arrested.

The central agency, in its remand note, said the NCP leader, sent to the ED custody till November 6, has emerged as an "important cog in the wheels" in the case, in which there has been an allegation of collection of Rs 100 crore, and maintained the involvement of foreign angle cannot be ruled out.

As per the ED, from December 2020 to February 2021, Mr Deshmukh had collected Rs 4.70 crore in bribe money from then-assistant police inspector Sachin Waze (later dismissed from service in another criminal case), who had extorted the same from bars and restaurants across Mumbai.

Mr Deshmukh (71), who was arrested by the ED on late Monday night after 12 hours of questioning, was produced before additional sessions judge P B Jadhav, who is presiding over the special holiday court, on Tuesday.