ANIL DESHMUKH APPEARS BEFORE ED, ALLEGES ‘WITCH-HUNT’

MUMBAI: Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh on Monday claimed a false narrative was being created by “vested interests” that he was avoiding to appear before the ED, in connection with its probe into a money laundering case. The NCP leader said he is keen to present himself before “unbiased authorities”.

In a statement released after he entered the ED’s office here on Monday, Deshmukh further claimed that a “witch-hunt” has been launched at the instance of certain “inimical interests”, by people who have absolutely no credibility, honour or pride. “A false narrative, an erroneous impression, is being created by these vested interests that I am evading or avoiding to appear before the ED,” Deshmukh said. The NCP leader further said he has only sought a transparent, fair and an objective probe without any fear or favour.

“I am keen to appear before such unbiased authorities and expose the falsity of the accusations that have been levelled against me with a fervent hope that the ED officers shall rise up to the occasion and act in a fair manner, and also lay go rest the misgivings about my cooperation with the investigations,” the letter said.

Officials of the probe agency said they will record the statement of Deshmukh under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), in connection with the criminal investigation being carried out by it in the alleged Rs 100 crore briberycum-extortion racket in the Maharashtra Police establishment, that led to Deshmukh’s resignation from the post of state home minister in April this year.

Deshmukh had skipped at least four summons issued by the ED in the case, but after the Bombay HC last week refused to quash these summons, he appeared before the agency on Monday.