Maharashtra's former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh who was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate to appear before the agency has sought more time. He skipped the summons by probe agency in connection with an alleged money laundering case.
Deshmukh was asked to appear before the agency office in the Ballard Estate area in Mumbai at 11 am, they said. NCP leader however, skipped the summons of the probe agency. His lawyers have submitted an application seeking time to appear before the ED.
The Enforcement Directorate will consider the application and give a fresh date, officials said.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday arrested Deshmukh's personal assistant Kundan Shinde and personal secretary Sanjeev Palande in connection with an alleged money laundering case.
The ED on May 11 had registered a case of money laundering against Deshmukh. Earlier in April, the CBI had conducted raids at four premises of Deshmukh after registering an FIR against him in connection with the case.
An FIR was filed based on Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (Public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration in respect of an official act) and criminal conspiracy (IPC 120 B).
During the searches, the CBI recovered incriminating documents and digital devices, sources confirmed.
Param Bir Singh, in his letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, had alleged that Deshmukh had indulged in "malpractices" and asked suspended Mumbai Police officer Sachin Waze to collect Rs 100 crores every month.
Waze was arrested in March in connection with the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) probe into the case of recovery of an explosives-laden SUV near Mukesh Ambani's house in Mumbai and the subsequent murder of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran.