Overview
- The Supreme Court declined to urgently stay the Bombay High Court order and postponed the Enforcement Directorate’s Special Leave Petition, with a hearing expected on October 27, according to Pawar’s counsel.
- Anilkumar Pawar was released from Mumbai’s Arthur Road jail on Thursday night after nearly two months in custody, following undertakings that he would not tamper with evidence or influence witnesses.
- The High Court ruled the August 13 arrest arbitrary and contrary to PMLA Section 19 and constitutional protections, noting the arresting officer lacked sufficient material to form a valid reason to believe an offence was committed.
- Judges highlighted the absence of a money trail, no incriminating documents, cash or devices seized from Pawar’s home, repetition of grounds of arrest and reasons to believe, and the lack of his name in the predicate FIR.
- The ED alleges Pawar led a bribery network tied to 41 illegal buildings, citing WhatsApp chats and Section 50 statements, and claims proceeds of crime of Rs 300.92 crore with about Rs 169 crore linked to him, assertions the High Court said did not meet the threshold for arrest.