Anil Deshmukh denies reports of ED attaching his property worth ₹300 cr

ED initiated a money laundering investigation against Anil Deshmukh and his family members on the basis of a first information report registered by Central Bureau of Investigation

Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh on Monday said that his property, seized by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), is worth over ₹4.20 crore and not over ₹300 crore, as claimed in a few media reports. He said that the property was bought by his son Salil Deshmukh back in 2006.

Home minister Anil Deshmukh. (HT PHOTO)

“ED has temporarily seized my property worth over ₹4 crore. Among the properties, the Central agency has attached a property worth ₹2.66 crore bought by my son Salil Deshmukh back in 2006. But a few media reports are circulating misinformation by claiming that the property bought by Salil Deshmukh’s firm is worth ₹300 crore,” Anil Deshmukh said in a video released on Monday afternoon.

“As far as I am concerned I have filed a petition in the Supreme Court after I received summons from ED. Following the apex court decision, I will appear before ED to record my statement,” Anil Deshmukh said.

ED initiated a money laundering investigation against Anil Deshmukh and his family members on the basis of a first information report (FIR) registered by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly “attempting to obtain undue advantage for improper and dishonest performance of his public duty for collection of funds to achieve the target of ₹100 crore per month from various bars, restaurants and other establishments in Mumbai.”

The charges were levelled by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh. He brought up the charges through a letter three days after being transferred from his post to Commandant General of Home Guards, Maharashtra, on March 17.

Anil Deshmukh recently filed a petition before the apex court seeking protection from coercive action against him by the Central agency.