Mumbai, Sep 23: The Bombay High Court today allowed the Enforcement Directorate to file an affidavit against the plea filed by ex-Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh in the money laundering case.
A division bench of Justices S S Shinde and N J Jamadar said the ED could file a rejoinder if it felt necessary.
In his petition, NCP leader Deshmukh sought to quash five summons issued by the ED, and said the case was a result of “political vendetta”.
During the hearing today, Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the ED, sought for the matter to be heard virtually so as to enable Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta to appear and argue for the agency.
However, senior counsel Vikram Chaudhri appearing for Mr. Deshmukh argued that the court should hear the matter on Thursday itself for grant of interim protection from any coercive action.
“The ED has been indulging in demeaning tactics. This petition demonstrates the hapless state of affairs. The tactics (used by the ED) are deplorable,” Mr. Chaudhri averred.
The Court said it would hear all the contentions raised in the plea on September 29. (UNI)