The Bombay High Court on Thursday dismissed a plea of former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh seeking quashing of FIR against him registered by CBI in a corruption case. The court also dismissed a petition by the state govt, challenging few paragraphs of the CBI FIR against Deshmukh.
A bench of justices Sambhaji Shinde and Nizamuddin Jamadar said Deshmukh's plea seeking quashing of the FIR “deserved to be dismissed".
Additional Solicitor Generals Aman Lekhi and Anil Singh, on behalf of the CBI, had told the court that no sanction was required, as by indulging in corruption and misconduct, Deshmukh hadn't been discharging his official duties. The CBI's FIR said Deshmukh had knowledge of the reinstatement of former assistant police inspector Sachin Waze, an accused in a case of bomb scare in Mumbai, and the NCP leader used to exercise undue interference in transfers and postings of Maharashtra police officers.
The case against the former Home Minister was registered on May 11. Earlier in April, the CBI had conducted raids at four premises of Deshmukh after registering an FIR against him in connection with the case and recovered incriminating documents and digital devices.
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).
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 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 Hiren.