On Monday, the Supreme Court rejected the CBI’s plea challenging the bail granted to Anil Deshmukh, who was detained on charges of corruption and money laundering.
A three-judge panel chaired by by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud stated that the NCP leader had already been granted bail in the case stemming from the identical transactions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
“He has also been released on bail in the PMLA case. SLP dismissed. “Same observations as in the PMLA case,” remarked the bench, which also included Justices V Balasumbramanian and J B Pardiwala.
The PMLA investigation is conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, stated that the charges are significant.
The Bombay High Court had granted Deshmukh bail in the CBI case on December 12, but said that it would not take effect for 10 days so that the agency could appeal to the Supreme Court.
Although the agency reapplied to the HC for an extension of the stay, stating that it had been unable to obtain an urgent hearing in the Supreme Court, the High Court denied the motion.
The CBI filed the FIR against Deshmukh after conducting a preliminary investigation at the request of the Bombay High Court. Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh had alleged that Deshmukh had “undue influence” over the transfer and posting of police officials, as well as using the now-dismissed Mumbai Police assistant inspector Sachin Waze to illegally collect Rs 100 crore every month, including Rs 40crore to Rs 50 crore from 1,750 bars and restaurants in the city.
