Observing in a 42-page order that Hasan Mushrif was “suppressing” facts and not letting the Enforcement Directorate (ED) reach the truth, a special court on Tuesday rejected the NCP leader’s plea seeking anticipatory bail in connection with an alleged money laundering offence relating to farmers’ investments in a Kolhapur sugar factory of which his sons are directors.
No share certificate given to farmers: Court
The order by the special designated court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) stated that appeals were made to farmers to invest in the factory and Rs10,000 each were collected from them, but no share certificate had been given to anyone till date. The court noted that the same was diverted to many companies in the name of Mushrif’s three sons and said these clearly indicate criminal activity. Special Judge MG Deshpande said any order granting interim protection would hamper and interfere with the ED’s investigation.
The court said further that statements coupled with documents, prima facie indicate generation of proceeds of crime, layering and trail for money laundering. Hence, it said, duty was cast on it to protect the investigation rather than paralysing it. Emphasising the need for the 63-year-old politician’s custodial interrogation, the court noted that all the statements made to the ED prima facie indicated that he was suppressing material facts and not allowing the ED to reach to the truth, which was the basic object of the investigation. Citing instances, it said the investigating officer found that Mushrif was changing his stand every time to suppress real facts and circumstances of transactions.
Mushrif could influence witnesses: Court
The court also noted that the five-time MLA was influential and hence there was possibility that he could influence witnesses. The ED has alleged some wrongdoings on Mushrif’s part during his association with Kolhapur District Central Cooperative (KDCC) bank as chairman. The court said it could not be overlooked that since Mushrif was interrogated, his workers had sent or thrown hundreds of applications in the ED office to interfere with the investigation.
Judge Deshpande did not make comments on Mushrif’s allegations against a BJP leader being behind the probe and said that the matter was pending before the HC. The court also referred to video clips in which Mushrif was seen making appeals to farmers to invest in the factory and pointed out that during questioning he had denied making appeals.
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