Anil Deshmukh: Big relief to Anil Deshmukh from Bombay High Court, bail in money laundering case

Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has got a big relief from the Bombay High Court. The court on Tuesday granted bail to NCP leader Deshmukh in an alleged money laundering case. Anil Deshmukh has been granted bail by the Bombay High Court on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh. But the former home minister will have to remain in jail for now due to the case filed by the CBI as he has got bail in the case filed by the ED.

The Supreme Court had earlier directed the High Court to expeditiously hear and decide the petition of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader as it is pending for six months. Deshmukh's counsel Vikram Choudhary and Aniket Nikam argued that in view of his age (72), health and no criminal background, he should be granted bail. This argument was opposed by Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the ED, saying that Deshmukh does not have any disease which cannot be treated in a jail hospital.

Significantly, Deshmukh was arrested by the ED in November 2021 and he is currently in judicial custody. The ED had registered a case against him after the CBI registered a corruption case against him following allegations leveled by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Parambir Singh. The ED claimed that Deshmukh misused his official position and collected Rs 4.7 crore from various bars and restaurants in Mumbai. The ED alleged that the erroneously earned money was sent to Nagpur-based Sri Sai Shikshan Sansthan, an educational trust controlled by his family.