Mumbai, Nov 12 (UNI) A special PMLA court here on Friday extended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of former Maharashtra minister Anil Deshmukh till November 15, arrested in connection with a money laundering case.
Seeking further custody of Deshmukh, the ED submitted before special PMLA Judge HS Sathbhai that since the investigation was going on, the custody of the accused should be extended.
Deshmukh's lawyer, while opposing the same, argued that the agency had earlier agreed to the High Court order for custody till November 12. Praying for extension in custody was nothing, but an unfair "ruse" to keep Deshmukh in custody, he added.
Deshmukh was arrested last week under the PMLA Act, 2002. A special holiday court on November 6 had sent him to judicial custody after rejecting the ED's plea seeking extension of his remand. However, a day later, the Bombay High Court set aside the lower court's order and sent Deshmukh to ED remand till November 12.
Meanwhile, a Sessions Court here directed the ED not to arrest Hrishikesh Deshmukh, son of arrested Minister Anil Deshmukh, till November 20. The court was hearing the anticipatory bail plea of Hrishikesh on Friday.
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