Bombay HC paves way for Anil Deshmukh’s release – The Hindu

The Bombay High Court on December 27 paved the way for the release of former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh in an alleged ₹100 crore corruption case by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The Central agency had moved a vacation Bench of Justice S.G. Chapalgaonkar, seeking an extension on the stay for the execution of bail granted to Mr. Deshmukh. The CBI’s counsel, Shreeram Shirsat, said that a special leave petition (SLP) had been filed before the Supreme Court. However, they had not been able to mention it before the apex court. Therefore, he sought an extension on the stay.

Advocate Aniket Nikam, appearing for Mr. Deshmukh, opposed the request and pointed out that the SLP had been filed on December 16 and therefore, no relief should be granted.

The Bench referred to the order passed by Justice M.S. Karnik on December 12, which was stayed for 10 days. Another Bench had granted a stay on the order till December 27. However, Justice Chapalgaonkar refused to entertain the plea by the CBI. The Bench noted the agency’s request could not be allowed since a vacation court cannot overrule a regular court’s decision.

The Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) leader is currently lodged at the Arthur Road jail. He was arrested by the CBI on November 2, 2021 in a corruption case involving ₹100 crore. On October 4, the 73-year-old leader was granted bail by High Court in a money laundering case against him by the Enforcement Directorate.

The case dates to March 20, 2021 when the former Police Commissioner of Mumbai, Param Bir Singh, wrote a letter to the then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, alleging Mr. Deshmukh was guilty of abusing his position and powers to seek illegal monetary benefits. The letter alleged instances of Mr. Deshmukh directing then police officer Sachin Vaze and others to collect ₹100 crore from bars and restaurants over a month.

The High Court on April 5, 2021 had directed a preliminary inquiry against Mr. Deshmukh by the CBI. Soon thereafter, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Mr. Deshmukh under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 7 (public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration in respect of an official act) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.