ED: Need to confront Deshmukh with pvt individual who handled projects

Mumbai: The ED, through its counsel Shreeram Shirsat, submitted before a special court on Friday that it needs to confront Deshmukh with a private individual who resides in Navi Mumbai and had “handled certain prestigious projects” in the NCP leader’s constituency and had been regularly visiting Deshmukh’s official residence.

- Swati Deshpande

Deshmukh is a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Nagpur. Shirsat said during the course of recording Deshmukh’s statement, certain new facts emerged, and hence ED has issued summons to the private person for his appearance on November 13. Shirsat said the person has received the summons.

The ED also said “another accused Sachin Waze (dismissed assistant police inspector) has played a key role in collecting illegal gratification from the bar owners of Mumbai” on Deshmukh’s “direction”. On November 5, ED’s request to record Waze’s statement was denied by a local court, and now ED plans to file a fresh plea before the designated National Investigation Agency (NIA) court to record Waze’s statement, and based on what emerges, it wants to confront Deshmukh with facts that may arise.