Mumbai Court Rejects Dismissed Cop's Plea in Deshmukh Money Laundering Case
A special court in Mumbai has firmly dismissed a plea by dismissed police officer Sachin Waze to drop proceedings in a money laundering case linked to former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh. The court emphasized that a responsible police officer must operate within legal boundaries and not follow illegal instructions from superiors.
Judge Highlights Illegal Acts Beyond Official Duties
Special judge Mahesh K Jadhav observed that Waze, being an experienced officer, crossed legal limits by engaging in extortion and handling illicit funds. The judge stated, "He is not a layman. As argued on behalf of the prosecution, he crossed limits. Admittedly, extorting money, involving in generating illegal money and to possess illegal money itself amounts to an illegal act, which cannot come within the purview of official act."
Waze had argued that the court lacked jurisdiction because the state government had not granted mandatory sanction to prosecute him as a public servant. However, the judge clarified that such sanction is required only for acts reasonably connected to official duties, not for illegal personal activities.
Court Finds Prima Facie Case and Jurisdiction
Rejecting Waze's jurisdictional claims, the judge noted, "It appears from the record that prima facie case is made out against the applicant for framing charge and court is having jurisdiction to try and entertain the case. The application is not tenable in the eye of law."
The case revolves around allegations that Waze, while heading the Crime Intelligence Unit, collected approximately Rs 4.70 crore from bar and restaurant owners between December 2020 and February 2021. Prosecutors claim these funds were extorted under Deshmukh's instructions and handed over to his personal assistant.
Judge Details Waze's Involvement in Extortion
The judge pointed out that Waze admitted lacking jurisdiction over the Social Service Branch, which oversaw bar and restaurant activities, yet he still extorted and handled money for the home minister. Addressing Waze's defense that he merely handled funds without laundering them, the judge asserted, "It is necessary to state that mere possession of the proceeds of the crime was sufficient to invoke the provisions of PMLA."
This ruling underscores the legal principle that public servants cannot shield illegal acts under the guise of official duties, reinforcing accountability in law enforcement.
