The Bombay High Court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Shiv Sena leader and former Member of Parliament Anandrao Adsul in a money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Anandrao Adsul approached the high court after the Mumbai sessions court refused to grant interim relief in the anticipatory bail application filed by him.

WHAT IS THE CASE?

The former MP is being investigated by the ED in connection with the alleged 980 crore fraud at the City Co-operative Bank.

Anandrao Adsul had himself filed a complaint with the Economic Offences Wing of Mumbai Police against some trustees of the bank. The police registered a case of offences of criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code for alleged irregularities in loan disbursement by City Co-operative Bank.

Later, on the complaint of a BJP leader, the ED too initiated an investigation and issued three summons to Anandrao Adsul to appear in person or through a representative in connection with the case. However, Adsul did not respond to the summons.

ADSUL’S PLEA FOR PRE-ARREST BAIL

Advocate Subodh Desai appeared for Adsul and stated that he could not appear due to an angioplasty. He also stated that the ED had not given any document to him to specify why he was summoned. Anandrao Adsul alleged that it was a means of harassing him and claimed that he had nothing to do with the alleged irregularities. He said he had an apprehension that he would be arrested if he appeared before the central agency.

ED’S ARGUMENTS AGAINST PRE-ARREST BAIL

Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, along with Advocate Shreeram Shirsat, appeared for the ED. They opposed the plea stating that it was the agency’s prerogative to decide the manner in which the investigation would progress. They showed certain investigation documents to the court.

JUDGE REJECTS PLEA

After hearing both parties briefly, Justice Nitin Sambre rejected Adsul’s plea. The detailed order with the exact grounds of rejection will be given later.