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Synopsis

The Supreme Court today dismissed an SLP filed by the Enforcement Directorate challenging the bail granted to former Maharashtra Home Minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh in a money laundering case.

A Single Judge Bench comprising Justice NJ Jamdar of the Bombay High Court had granted bail to Deshmukh last week.

After Deshmukh was granted bail by the High Court, the counsel for ED had informed the court that the bail order could not be challenged before the Supreme Court since the Supreme Court was scheduled to remain closed till 13 October. 

Accordingly, High Court had given time till 13th October to ED to approach the Supreme Court, after which the bail order was to become effective. 

When the matter was taken up today, SG Tushar Mehta told court that the evidence was selectively discussed by the High Court, which in turn made the findings of the High Court perversed.

On the health conditions considered by the High Court, a bench of Justices Chandrachud and Hima Kohli was informed that such ailments were very common.

"Half of us in this Court have these health grounds", the SG submitted.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appearing on behalf of Anil Deshmukh told court that no evidence was brought on record to show the trail of money.

After hearing the parties, Justice Chandrachud in his order said that the court was not inclined to interfere with the bail order, but clarified thus,

"The High Court's observations shall not affect merits of the trial".

An FIR was registered against Deshmukh, and some unidentified persons on April 24 last year, on charges of corruption and misconduct, following a preliminary inquiry that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted in compliance with the High Court's order. In July last year, the Court refused to quash the FIR lodged by the CBI.

Deshmukh will remain in the Arthur Jail in the corruption case registered by CBI against him.

Case Title: ED vs. Anil Deshmukh