[BREAKING] Mumbai court rejects bail plea of Anil Deshmukh in corruption case

A Mumbai court on Friday rejected bail plea filed by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former State Home Minister Anil Deshmukh in the corruption case filed against him..Special judge SH Gwalani ruled that the case involves huge amount of money and the court needs to consider the impact of the offences could have on the economy of the nation. "In the present case from the material collected so far it is clear that a huge amount affecting the economy of nation is involved. In present case, such a white collar crime involving and affecting the economy of the nation has to be considered seriously," the Court said.At the stage of bail, a detailed examination of evidence at the merits of the case need not be undertaken, the Court opined.The Court also noted that the accused is receiving adequate medical facilities as per his requirements."Considering the active involvement of Deshmukh in the offence of corruption and attempt to obtain undue advantage for improper and dishonest performance of the public duty, the seriousness of offence, the manner in which crime is committed, likelihood of the accused fleeing from justice and tampering with the prosecution witnesses, I am of the view that in order to prevent such type of serious offence, it is not proper to release the applicant on bail," the judge ordered. .Deshmukh and his associates are being investigated for alleged corruption that took place between 2019 and 2021. Based on the findings of a preliminary investigation into a complaint by advocate Dr Jaishri Patil, the CBI booked Deshmukh and unknown others.The inquiry was launched after the Bombay High Court issued a direction to that effect on April 5, 2021, in response to a petition filed by Param Bir Singh, former Commissioner of Mumbai Police.Deshmukh was booked for offences punishable under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (Public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration in respect of an official act) of the Prevention of Corruption Act).Based on this FIR of CBI, the ED initiated a case of money laundering invoking offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Deshmukh and arrested him in November 2021.He was remanded to ED custody that was extended till November 15 by the High Court. Thereafter, he was remanded to judicial custody, where he remains till date.Deshmukh filed for regular bail before the Bombay High Court in March 2022 after a special PMLA Court rejected his bail plea.The High Court had, on October 4, granted bail to Deshmukh in the money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate.This had been upheld by the Supreme Court on October 11..Deshmukh however continued to remain lodged in judicial custody since he was yet to be granted bail in the CBI case. Immediately after the High Court granted bail, Deshmukh moved the CBI Court seeking regular bail.The matter was heard by the special judge extensively and CBI vehemently opposed the bail application. .The special judge reserved the plea for orders on October 20 and indicated he will try and pronounce the verdict today. With this verdict, Deshmukh continues to remain in prison in the CBI case. .Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhari with Advocates Aniket Nikam and Inderpal Singh appeared for Deshmukh.Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh with Advocates Ashish Chavan and Aditya Thakker appeared for CBI.[Read order]