ED files prosecution complaint against Anil Deshmukh's aides in PMLA case

The ED's prosecution complaint against Palande and Shinde was submitted along with documentary evidence

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday filed its first chargesheet in connection with the bribery-cum-money laundering scandal involving former Maharashtra Home Minister and senior NCP leader Anil Deshmukh.

The ED registered a case against Deshmukh after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed an FIR against him on April 21 in the wake of allegations made by former Mumbai Police Commissioner and now Commandant General of Home Guard, Param Bir Singh, that the then minister had fixed a monthly collection target of Rs 100 crore for the now dismissed Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze.

The chargesheet was filed against Deshmukh’s Personal Assistant Kundan Shinde and Personal Secretary Sanjeev Palande.

Deshmukh (72) is considered close to NCP President Sharad Pawar and General Secretary Praful Patel.

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The chargesheet was filed before the special court assigned to hear matters related to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Deshmukh was summoned by the ED five times in the past for questioning but he failed to appear.

Deshmukh’s wife Aarti Deshmukh and son Hrishikesh Deshmukh had also been summoned, however, they too had failed to appear before the federal agency.

It also attached properties to the tune of Rs 4.2 crore which are linked to Deshmukh and his family.

Using dummy companies based in Delhi, the Deshmukh family had allegedly laundered the tainted money of Rs.4.18 crore and showed it as an amount received by a trust called Shri Sai Shikshan Sanstha.