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Maha: ED arrests Anil Deshmukh in money laundering case

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested former Maharashtra Home Minister, Anil Deshmukh in an alleged money-laundering case after questioning him for more than 13 hours.

Deshmukh, 72, had gone to the ED office on Monday afternoon for probe into the allegations of Rs.100 crore extortion levelled by former Mumbai Police Commissioner, Param Bir Singh.

Deshmukh, a senior Nationalist Congress Party leader, had said he was appearing before the ED voluntarily as he respected the law, and.the arrest came.on expected lines.

Earlier, the former Maharashtra Home Minister on Monday morning went to the ED office for the multi-agencies probe into the allegations of extortion and corruption hurled against him by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.

The development came a day after the Central Bureau of Investigation nabbed a middleman Santosh Jagtap from Thane, who was an alleged conduit in the corruption deals and evading arrest.

“I respect the courts… I have voluntarily decided to come to the ED for the probe. But I want to ask where is Param Bir Singh who levelled the false allegations against me,” said Deshmukh in a recorded statement before he went to the central agency accompanied by his lawyer.

Whenever he received the ED summons — at least five — in the past, he had promptly responded pointing out that his case was sub-judice before the courts concerned, he added.

Even for the two CBI notices, he has immediately replied citing the same reasons, and said even now his matter is pending before the Supreme Court.

“Despite all this, the ED-CBI have raided all my homes (Mumbai-Nagpur), my family members, my associates… Canards were also being spread that I am absconding for the ED, but I have come here today on my own,” Deshmukh said, in an indirect swipe at the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.

He pointed out how Singh, the man who hurled the fake charges at him, is ‘untraceable’ and has reportedly sneaked out of the country according to some reports in the media.

A senior NCP leader, Deshmukh came under a cloud in April 2020 after Singh’s letter to the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray alleging that he (Deshmukh) had set a Rs 100-crore collection target for the former dismissed cop, Sachin Vaze.

Deshmukh had moved the Bombay High Court but got no relief, while his case is pending before the Supreme Court, even as the agencies have summoned his wife Aarti and their son Hrishikesh for probes, while the ED has attached portions of his properties worth Rs 4.20 crore.

Earlier, the ED arrested Deshmukh’s former close aides Sanjeev Palande and Kundan Shinde, followed by the CBI’s nabbing of Jagtap amid speculation that the ex-Minister could face arrest.

The BJP state President, Chandrakant Patil welcomed the move saying that “actually, Deshmukh had no options left” but to appear before the ED as he realised that the long arms of the law will ultimately catch up with him.

International News

Mumbai Police Reach Kapil Sharma’s House After Kap’s Cafe Firing In Canada

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Hours after shots were fired at comedian Kapil Sharma’s eatery, Kap’s Cafe, in Canada, the Mumbai Police on Friday reached his house in Mumbai to question him about the incident. Around 1 am on July 9 (Canada time), several rounds were fired at the cafe, located in Surrey.

Khalistani terrorist Harjeet Singh Laddi claimed the responsibility for the attack, and demanded an apology from Kapil for his alleged objectionable remarks.

the attackers felt that Nihang Sikhs were insulted on Kapil’s show. The report also mentioned that the attackers said the comedian ignored their calls seeking an apology, and that shots were fired at his eatery to warn him.

Kap’s Cafe team issues statement

Kapil is yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The management of the eatery, however, took to their social media handles and wrote, “We opened Kap’s Cafe with hopes of bringing warmth, community, and joy through delicious coffee and friendly conversation. To have violence intersect with that dream is heartbreaking. We are processing this shock but we are not giving up (sic).”

It further stated, “Your kind words, prayers, and memories shared via DM mean more than you know. This cafe exists because of your belief in what we’re building together. Let’s stand firm against violence and ensure Kap’s Cafe remains a place of warmth and community. From all of us at Kap’s Cafe, thank you and see you soon, under better skies (sic).”

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Maharashtra

Torres Investment Scam: Key Accused Lurchenko Igor Traced In Ukraine

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Mumbai: In the Torres Investment scam, one of the Ukrainian Gang accused, Ukrainian national Lurchenko Igor, has been located in Ukraine. Igor is among nine foreign nationals alleged to have orchestrated the multi-crore investment fraud before fleeing India, evading law enforcement.

Ukraine Authorities Monitoring Igor’s Movements

A senior officer from the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) confirmed that Ukrainian authorities recently informed Indian agencies that Igor, who was under a Blue Corner Notice issued by Interpol at EOW’s request, was traced in May. Authorities in Ukraine are reportedly monitoring his movements closely. The extradition process for the foreigner accused was started, according to sources. He is likely to be brought to India soon.

Ukranian Actor Booked

Meanwhile, in another development in the multi-crore Torres scam, the Bhoiwada Police have registered a case against accused Armen Ataine (48) for illegally obtaining a fake birth certificate from the BMC’s F-South Ward. Along with Armen, two unidentified individuals who assisted him in acquiring the fraudulent document have also been booked under sections 120B, 34, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, and 474 of the Indian Penal Code.

During the investigation, the Bhoiwada Police discovered that Armen’s father, Garun Ataine, had lived in Lalbaug’s Jam Building between 1975 and 1978. Armen allegedly used this information to fraudulently secure an Indian birth certificate.

The Torres Investment scam involved duping many investors with promises of high returns. The fraud came to light after the accused had already left the country, making it challenging for local agencies to initiate immediate legal action. Indian authorities are now working with their Ukrainian counterparts to pursue further legal proceedings.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra News: ‘Decisive Steps Taken For Widening Of Hatlot Ghat Road Connecting Ratnagiri And Satara,’ Says Minister Yogesh Kadam

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Mumbai: In a crucial move to improve road connectivity between the tourism-rich districts of Ratnagiri and Satara, a high-level meeting regarding the widening of the Hatlot Ghat road in Khed Taluka was held today in the legislature office of Public Works Minister Shivrendra Raje Bhosale. The meeting was chaired by Minister Bhosale and attended by Minister of State for Home Affairs, Yogesh Kadam.

During the meeting, Minister Yogesh Kadam expressed serious concern over the delay in the project and instructed officials to immediately acquire the required forest land to expedite the remaining work. He emphasized the importance of completing the road as soon as possible to enhance transportation and boost tourism between the two districts.

Public Works Minister Shivrendra Raje Bhosale also directed the appointment of a technical consultant to oversee the completion process and assured that the project would be prioritized and completed at the earliest.

Once completed, the Hatlot Ghat road will significantly improve travel between Ratnagiri and Satara and serve as a major boost to local tourism.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Public Works Department, including the Department Secretary, Chief Engineer, Superintending Engineer, and representatives from the Forest Department.

With the active intervention of Minister Yogesh Kadam, hopes have risen that the long-pending issue will finally be resolved.

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