In a 61-page reply filed through advocate Shreeram Shirsat, the ED stated that Deshmukh played a significant role in generating and laundering the proceeds of crime which was collected from bar owners, and projected the same as untainted by depicting it as legitimate donations.
“Applicant (Deshmukh) is the main conspirator and the brain behind the whole conspiracy and the brain behind the whole conspiracy to collect money from bar owners,” the reply said.
The ED clarified that Deshmukh had always been the prime suspect in the FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
When he was summoned five times, he approached courts challenging the same. However, Deshmukh neither co-operated nor appeared before the agency until disposal of those petitions, it was submitted.
The ED opposed the bail plea stating that Deshmukh is an influential person having deep political roots and there is every likelihood of him obfuscating the trail of proceeds of crime.
Source: Barandbench
