Extortion case: Anil Deshmukh arrives before the ED and inquires about Param Bir Singh's whereabouts.
Anil Deshmukh, the former Maharashtra Home Minister, arrived at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Mumbai on Monday afternoon for questioning in connection with a money laundering and extortion case.
The 71-year-old Deshmukh's statement would be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the federal investigative agency's criminal investigation into the alleged Rs 100 crore bribery-cum-extortion scheme in the Maharashtra Police establishment.
Anil Deshmukh was accused by Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh of encouraging expelled subordinate inspector Sachin Vaze to collect Rs 100 crore from hotels and bars in Mumbai every month, an accusation refuted by the then-state home minister.
Anil Deshmukh had previously been called four times but had failed to appear before ED officers. He had filed an appeal with the Bombay High Court against the ED summons, but it was dismissed last week.
He was then summoned to appear before ED officials with his attorney.
The NCP leader stated in a tweet that he was appearing before ED authorities as per a high court order, and questioned why Param Bir Singh had not joined the inquiry.
"I've appeared before the Enforcement Directorate today." Param Bir Singh, a former Mumbai Police Commissioner, levelled bogus accusations against me. What is his current location? He has fled the country, according to media sources," Deshmukh stated in a self-made video.
Santosh Jagtap, the first arrest in the high-profile case, was made by the CBI on Sunday. In August, the agency raided the alleged middleman's home and recovered Rs 9 lakh in cash.
Under the provisions of the PMLA, the ED had arrested Deshmukh's personal assistant Kundan Shinde and personal secretary Sanjeev Palande. Palande is reported to be a significant witness in the case, having access to information on the alleged extortion and money laundering. In conjunction with the case, the FBI has undertaken many raids.