ED Now Probes Bank Loans Taken By Ex-Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh By 'Flouting Rules'

ED has found during investigation that Anil Deshmukh took huge loans from several private banks by violating rules, and transferred the amount to companies owned by his family members

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has now widened the scope of its ongoing investigation against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh into the allegations of corruption raised by former Mumbai Police chief Param Bir Singh, ABP has learnt. The agency has found during its investigation that Deshmukh took huge loans from several private banks, and that the rules for loan procurement were not adhered to, sources said.

ED is also investigating as to who have assisted Deshmukh in getting these loans if the rules were violated. According to ED, Deshmukh transferred the loan amount to companies owned by his family members.

The ED sources also said they investigated these companies and found out that while some of these companies were real, some were shell companies. The agency is now trying to establish the money trail.

The Charges Against Deshmukh's PA and PS

In March this year, former Mumbai Police commissioner Param Bir Singh had written a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, complaining that Sanjeev Palande, Deshmukh's personal secretary, was "recovering (extorting)" money through former police officer Sachin Waze.

In his letter, Singh said Deshmukh held a meeting at his official residence Dnyaneshwari and ordered the Waze to "recover" at least Rs 100 crore every month from bars and hotels. He also said Waze was protected by Deshmukh.

Singh had also said that Deshmukh called Waze several times to his official bungalow and ordered him to "recover" money, and that Palande would be  present during such meetings.

Palande would be present during all such meetings held with police officers, the letter said, adding that Deshmukh's personal assistant Kundan Shinde was also aware of this.

The ED sources said so far statements of 10 bar owners have been recorded in the case, which revealed that they had collected Rs 4 crore so far and delivered it to Deshmukh's PA and PS after which the money was diverted to the shell company and then the money returned to the bank accounts of those close to Deshmukh.

The ED recorded the statement of Mumbai Police DCP Raju Bhujbal on June 24 after which the series of raids started.

WATCH | Know The New Guidelines Issued For Travelling In Mumbai Local Trains