SC junks CBI’s plea against bail granted to Anil Deshmukh

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a plea by CBI challenging bail granted by the Bombay High Court to former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh regarding a corruption case in connection with alleged illegal gratification sought from bar owners and corruption in police transfers and postings in Maharashtra. A bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said, “No, we are not interfering. SLP is dismissed.” The bench, also comprising justices V. Ramasubramanian and J.B. Pardiwala, noted that Deshmukh has been granted bail in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case in connection with the same set of transactions. The CBI had moved the apex court challenging the high court order. The CBI contended that the high court failed to consider that socio-economic offences needed to be viewed differently, and that the accused still holds considerable clout in the state. On October 11 last year, the apex court had upheld the Bombay High Court order granting bail to former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh in a money laundering case.