The former Maharashtra minister Anil Deshmukh has been granted bail by the Bombay High Court. The senior Nationalist Congress Party leader was arrested in a money laundering case by the Enforcement Directorate on November 1. Deshmukh, however, would continue to be in Arthur Road Jail, as investigation against him was also being conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation in a corruption case.
Senior lawyer Vikram Chaudhari with Adv Aniket Nikam appeared for Seshmukh. A team of Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh with Adv Aditya Thakkar, Shriram Shirsat and Amandeep Sra appeared for the Central Agency.
The bail was granted by Justice N J Inamdar, on a surety amount of Rs 1 lakh. The ED has sought a stay on operation of the order for two weeks. Deshmukh’s lawyer stated that considering his health issues and looking at no criminal record, he should be granted bail.
Deshmukh and his associates are being charged with corruption between 2019 and 2021.