by MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said it is “positively considering” a letter from dismissed police officer Sachin Waze who wants to turn approver in the money laundering case against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh and his kin.
Waze is a co-accused in the case and has sought pardon in a letter addressed to the ED from jail. Sources said a decision will be taken after evaluating evidence available against Waze at the appropriate time. To become an approver, Waze needs to make an application before the court, which will hear the ED before passing an order.
Sources stated that the ED office has received Waze’s request, and on Thursday, it was circulated among senior officers for their replies.
In a surprise move on Wednesday, Waze filed an affidavit before the Chandiwal commission stating that he had been “forced” to issue his earlier statements before the panel giving a clean chit to Deshmukh. He stated that he “did pay money to Deshmukh” and people associated with him “on his instructions”.
Meanwhile, Deshmukh’s lawyer Inderpal Singh issued a video statement where he said, “Waze has no rights to turn approver in the case where the ED cited him as accused No. 1. Waze had a major role. There was a secret meeting between him and Singh. They are conspiring to frame and defame the ex-home minister.”
Waze is a co-accused in the case and has sought pardon in a letter addressed to the ED from jail. Sources said a decision will be taken after evaluating evidence available against Waze at the appropriate time. To become an approver, Waze needs to make an application before the court, which will hear the ED before passing an order.
Sources stated that the ED office has received Waze’s request, and on Thursday, it was circulated among senior officers for their replies.
In a surprise move on Wednesday, Waze filed an affidavit before the Chandiwal commission stating that he had been “forced” to issue his earlier statements before the panel giving a clean chit to Deshmukh. He stated that he “did pay money to Deshmukh” and people associated with him “on his instructions”.
Meanwhile, Deshmukh’s lawyer Inderpal Singh issued a video statement where he said, “Waze has no rights to turn approver in the case where the ED cited him as accused No. 1. Waze had a major role. There was a secret meeting between him and Singh. They are conspiring to frame and defame the ex-home minister.”
