ED raid Anil Deshmukh house: Mumbai bar owners paid Rs 4 crore to Deshmukh for 3 months

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday carried out searches at the premises of former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh in Nagpur and Mumbai's Worli in connection with an alleged money laundering case.

According to officials, the raids are being conducted under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

An investigation by the ED has established trail of Rs 4 crore, which was allegedly paid by about 10 bar owners in Mumbai to Deshmukh for three months, The Indian Express reported. 

In Mumbai, the probe agency is also searching the premises of Deshmukh’s personal assistant Kundan Shinde and personal secretary Sanjeev Palande, based on the evidence gathered by ED on the alleged cash payments by the bar owners to Deshmukh.

ED has recorded the statements of over 10 bar owners in connection with the case.

The ED on May 11 registered a case of money laundering against Deshmukh. Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Singh had alleged corruption charges against Deshmukh in a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Singh, in his letter to Thackeray, had alleged that Deshmukh had indulged in "malpractices" and asked suspended Mumbai Police officer Sachin Vaze to collect Rs 100 crores every month.

Earlier in April, the CBI had conducted raids at four premises of Deshmukh after registering an FIR against him in connection with the case.