ED issues lookout notice against Anil Deshmukh in alleged money laundering case

Mumbai: A lookout notice has been issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh in a money laundering case worth ₹100 crores.

The 'lookout' circular will effectively prevent Deshmukh from fleeing the country since he has skipped at least five ED summons to join the probe.

The last summons was issued by the Enforcement Directorate on August 18, a day after the Supreme Court refused to provide the former minister interim protection from coercive action by the central agency.

The court, however, had allowed Deshmukh to seek other remedies available to him under the Criminal Procedure Code.

Officials also say that it's only a matter of time before Deshmukh faces arrest in the cases filed against him following the complaint lodged by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.

On September 3, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested a member of Deshmukh's legal team, Anand Daga, after day-long questioning for allegedly trying to influence the agency's probe into the corruption charges against his client.

The probe against Deshmukh and his associates was initiated by the ED after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had lodged an FIR against him on April 21 this year, on charges of corruption and misuse of official position.

The ED's case is that while serving as the state home minister, Deshmukh allegedly misused his position and through dismissed police officer Sachin Waze collected Rs 4.70 crore from various bars and restaurants in Mumbai.