ED officers’ function like scriptwriters, according to the lawyer for Ex-Maharashtra Minister Anil Deshmukh's son

Hrishikesh Deshmukh's lawyer told a special court that officers of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) were acting like scriptwriters when arguing for pre-arrest release for his father, former state home minister Anil Deshmukh. Advocate Vikram Chaudhri stated this point in the context of the agency opposing the younger Deshmukh's anticipatory bail request, claiming that unsecured loans were taken for a Deshmukh family business, with Hrishikesh managing the day-to-day operations.

 

It had stated that such unsecured loans were not subject to a written agreement. "What is suspicious about me taking unsecured loans?" remarked Advocate Chaudhri. Any loan can be made without a contract. The probe is rife with sensationalism," he said, adding that the ED officer is acting "like a scriptwriter."

 

The ED claims that Hrishikesh Deshmukh used his position as home minister to launder money his father earned by extorting pubs and eateries. Hrishikesh had funnelled cash through hawala transactions to shell firms, which layered and infused them in the guise of donations into a trust managed by the Deshmukh's, according to the charge sheet in the case, which was filed before Anil Deshmukh was detained.

 

"Only logic is of this man," Advocate Chaudhri replied in response to the claim that the loan transactions are "contrary to logic" (ED officer). We have to live with this man's logic. All logic is thrown out the window. What is the issue if a loan was obtained but no agreement was reached? What is the source of your zeal? This must come to a close. It (ED) is a high-ranking agency that should adhere to the law of the letter.

 

The ED was also investigating possible irregularities in a deal involving a business in which Hrishikesh is a director. It claimed the company bought another firm with assets worth Rs. 4.75 crores for Rs. 3.75 lakhs in 2010 and sold the land for Rs. 4.75 crores in a short period. It was claimed that these activities appeared to be to convert cash into checks. According to Advocate Chaudhri, the land, which was in a coal belt, was purchased for 81 lakhs in 2010 and sold for 4.75 crores after ten years, with Rs. 2.6 crores spent on its development in the interim. 

 

 

Image Courtesy: Twitter @AnilDeshmukhNCP