Mumbai: Special court summons Anil Deshmukh's sons in money laundering case on April 5

A special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Friday summoned former state home minister Anil Deshmukh’s sons Hrishikesh Deshmukh and Salil Deshmukh in the money laundering case in which they are accused along with their father.

The court had taken cognizance of the chargesheet of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Jan 28 and passed an order to issue summons. The order had however not mentioned when they were to appear before it. On Friday, the court was informed of the same and it summoned them on Apr 5.

On Friday, the ED was to give its response to the bail application filed by Anil Deshmukh through his advocates Inderpal Singh and Aniket Nikam. The agency sought time for the same and is now expected to file its response on Feb 9.

The summons is issued after the court takes cognizance of the chargesheet and decides to proceed against the accused. In its detailed order taking cognizance of the alleged offences, the court had said regarding the younger son Hrishikesh, that with the help of New Delhi-based paper companies, he had assisted his father to launder Rs 1.71 crore in February and March, 2020. This money was purportedly the bribe collected from orchestra bar owners and was shown as accounted for. It also called him an “active participant” in laundering the proceeds of crime.

On Salil, the court had said he was directly involved in the offence of money laundering and had assisted his father and brother in it.