Corruption case against Anil Deshmukh: Court pulls up CBI for not appointing prosecutor

Deshmukh and his two staffers, Kundan Shinde and Sanjeev Palande, are facing charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act, with charges yet to be framed against them.

On Tuesday, a sub-inspector on behalf of the CBI sought an adjournment, stating that the appointment of a special public prosecutor for the case is under consideration.

“Since last more than six months, there has been no appointment of a prosecutor in the case. It is an MP/MLA case and as per directions of the Honourable Supreme Court and Honourable High Court, these matters are to be tried expeditiously. However, the approach of the prosecution is lethargic. Even no steps are taken to represent the prosecution by any advocate before the Court. Due to this reason the hearing on framing of charge is prolonged. This is a serious lapse on the part of the prosecution,” special judge S R Navander said. The court said that by the next date, a prosecutor should be appointed, or the court will pass the necessary order. It directed the representative of the CBI to take note of the order and take effective steps. The matter will come up next on December 2.

The case pertains to corruption charges against Deshmukh and the two others, who are booked for allegedly instructing collection of bribes from bar owners, to the tune of Rs 100 crore, in the state when he was the home minister.

A separate case is also filed by the Enforcement Directorate alleging money-laundering. While dismissed police officer Sachin Waze is made a prosecution witness in the CBI case after he sought grant of pardon, he remains an accused in the ED case. Trial in both cases has not begun.