MUMBAI: Former home minister Anil Deshmukh on Thursday defended his “failure” to appear before the Enforcement Directorate five consecutive times in a money laundering case. In a brief unsigned and undated statement, Deshmukh said once the legal process is complete, he will remain present before the ED and cooperate with the authorities.
“A special leave petition filed by me has been accepted by the Supreme Court. It will be heard soon. The apex court has granted me permission to approach the lower court. As a result, a new legal process has started. Once the entire legal process is over, I myself will be present before the ED. I will extend full cooperation to the ED. In my entire political and social life, I have maintained high traditions,” Deshmukh said. Initially, Deshmukh had stated that owing to the pandemic, it would not be possible for him to attend the ED office. He had then offered to record his statement via a video conference.
On August 16, a Supreme Court bench led by Justice A M Khanvilkar rejected Deshmukh’s plea for interim relief from coercive action in the money laundering case. But it granted him liberty to seek remedies under the Criminal Procedure Code.
