Mumbai: Special PMLA Court Denies Bail To 68-Year-Old Accused In ₹65.70 Crore Money Laundering Case

Mumbai: The special PMLA court refused bail to the 68-year-old President of Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Education Society arrested in a money laundering case two years ago, rejecting his plea on health and trial delay grounds. The court observed that his condition was not severe, and delays were caused by repeated adjournments sought by him.

Mahadev Deshmukh was arrested on May 6, 2022, for laundering Rs 65.70 crore collected from 350 students for MBBS admissions at a medical college run by his trust in Satara. After an earlier bail plea on merits was rejected, he sought bail citing health issues and the delayed commencement of his trial.

A medical board reviewed his condition and concluded that no active intervention was required. The court said, “The report of the medical board is quite clear, the cardiology department arrived at a conclusion that no cardiac intervention is required at present and directed to continue cardiac medications, which he was already taking. The neurology department concluded that he should continue medications for Parkinson’s disease with physiotherapy, which he was already taking. The urology department has asked for a review with reports and the general medicine department concluded that no active medical intervention is needed at present and Deshmukh can continue with all medications as advised previously.”

On the issue of trial delay, the court noted that for 20 months, the matter was adjourned at Deshmukh’s instance for arguments on his plea. The court said, “The delay cannot be attributed to the prosecution but to the accused,” dismissing his argument for bail on these grounds.