ED issues lookout notice against NCP leader Anil Deshmukh

Deshmukh failed multiple times to appear before ED in connection with the case involving bribery and misuse of office

Evading investigations for months in a case involving bribery and misuse of office, Maharashtra’s former home minister and senior NCP leader Anil Deshmukh now faces a lookout notice.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a lookout notice in connection with alleged charges of money laundering.

The ED had issued five summons asking Deshmukh to join investigations, however, he had failed to appear and so far has not been able to secure any relief from the Bombay High Court or Supreme Court.

Deshmukh (72), a veteran politician, considered close to NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, is facing investigations by the ED as well as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

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The senior politician from Vidarbha had to resign from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government after former Mumbai Police Commissioner and current commandant general of Home Guards Param Bir Singh alleged that the minister has fixed a Rs 100-crore per month collection target for now dismissed assistant police inspector Sachin Vaze.

It may be mentioned that Vaze has been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the twin cases of planting of a gelatin sticks-laden Mahindra Scorpio near Antilia, the residence of Reliance Industries Ltd chairman Mukesh Ambani, and the murder of the SUV owner Mansukh Hiran slapping and faces murder and terror charges.

Deshmukh, his wife Aarti Deshmukh and their son Hrishikesh Deshmukh had so far not appeared before ED.

Deshmukh, however, had been grilled by the CBI.

The ED had arrested Deshmukh’s personal secretary Sanjeev Palande and personal assistant Kundan Shinde and they have been chargesheeted by the ED, which has also attached properties to the tune of Rs 4.20 crore which are linked to Deshmukh and his family.

Last week, the CBI arrested one of its own officers -- Sub-Inspector Abhishek Tiwari -- and Deshmukh’s lawyer Anand Daga in connection with the alleged leak of confidential documents related to the case.