Maha: In the PMLA case involving Anil Deshmukh, ED withdraws the approval given to Waze to become an approver

On Monday, the Enforcement Directorate revoked its approval of retired police officer Sachin Waze’s decision to serve as an approver in a case involving money laundering involving him and others, including former Maharashtra home minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh.

The investigation agency’s approval, which it had provided in May of last year, was withdrawn after the ED notified Special Judge R N Rokade, who is overseeing the case, of its decision.

 

Waze filed a motion to change his plea in the money laundering case, claiming that he had completely cooperated with the investigating agency and that he wished to expose the case’s details.

 

According to the ED, Waze, who was working with the Mumbai police at the time, helped Deshmukh collect Rs 4.70 crore from several pubs and eateries in Mumbai when he was the state’s home minister.

 

According to the ED, the money was subsequently cleaned up and sent to the Deshmukh family-controlled Shri Sai Shikshan Sansthan in Nagpur.

 

Waze, however, is a decision maker in a connected corruption case that the Central Bureau of Investigation is looking into.

 

Waze was detained in March 2021 for his claimed involvement in the murder of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran and the discovery of an explosives-packed car close to entrepreneur Mukesh Ambani’s home in south Mumbai.

 

Waze is presently being held in judicial detention after being fired from his position as a result of his arrest in the case involving the vehicle carrying explosives.