Secretary admits Deshmukh’s role in transfers, postings

A special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai on Thursday extended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of two aides of former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, his personal assistant Kundan Shinde and Sanjeev Palande, till 6 July in connection with a money laundering case.

Deshmukh’s private secretary Sanjeev Palande has admitted that Deshmukh had a role in the transfer posting of police officers, especially in the posting of IPS (Indian Police Service) officers. ED officials also told the court that accused Sanjeev Palande confessed that a meeting was held on 4 March this year with police officers and admitted that discussion regarding restrictions on bars had happened in that meeting.

Palande also said that Deshmukh had a role in the transfer of police officers, especially IPS officers, during his interrogation by ED officers. The ED has stated, “Mr Palande has admitted that Mr Deshmukh had a role in transfer posting of police officers, especially the posting of IPS officers.”

The ED that sought seven more days’ custody also told the court they will question some IPS officers in connection with the same. Custody of five more days was given with alleged involvement of Shinde and Palande in the Rs 4 crore money trail that the investigation agency is currently tracing. ED officials informed the court that they needed further custody of Palande and Shinde as the proceeds of crime were yet to be traced.

The ED also informed that police officers whose names have come up in alleged transfer postings done by Deshmukh, are to be confronted with the accused. The central agency also mentioned that there are other people who have been summoned but are yet to appear, and are to be confronted with the accused. ED officials have also learnt that Kundan Shinde and Sanjeev Palande have also received money in the form of cash, which is under investigation. The prosecution said that Shinde had not co-operated in his statements. The non-cooperation of Kundan Shinde can be seen from the vague replies in his statement wherein he has inter-alia stated that he didn’t know Sachin Waze before March 1 and had never met him till date.

Deshmukh’s personal secretary Sanjeev Palande and personal assistant Kundan Shinde were arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on 26 June. The duo was booked under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Prior to their arrest, the ED had carried out raids against them and Deshmukh in Mumbai and Nagpur. Anil Deshmukh laundered money collected from Mumbai bars and restaurants through his trust, is ED’s case against him and has sent twice summons to which Deshmukh has skipped. The ED’s case against Deshmukh and others was made after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) first carried out a preliminary enquiry followed by a regular case being filed on the orders of the Bombay High Court. The court had asked the CBI to look into the allegations of bribery made against Deshmukh by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh. Deshmukh, who resigned as the state Home minister in April this year following the allegations, has denied any wrongdoing.