The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has carried out searches in the residence of former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh’s close aide Sagar Bhatewar in Nagpur.

The investigation is concerned around the money laundering case against the NCP leader as Bhatewar is also reportedly the director of numerous firms controlled by Deshmukh’s family.

In fact, more than 40 companies’ accounts that are directly and indirectly controlled by the politician is currently being scrutinized by the ED. Moreover, statements of other people who on the board of directors of the companies operated by Deshmukh’s family will also be recorded by the agency.

On the basis of an FIR filed by the CBI, the ED had earlier also lodged a complaint against the former state cabinet minister for acquiring illegal gratification. The CBI maintains that he used his official position to take certain undue advantage and also influence the transfer and postings in Mumbai Police.

Deshmukh’s financial transactions also being investigated by the ED on accounts of allegations made by former Mumbai Police Comissioner that the NCP politician had directed police officers to collect monthly extortions worth Rs 100 crore from restaurants and bars in Mumbai, Indian Express reports.

Additionally, tainted police officer Sachin Waze has also supported these claims against Deshmukh in a letter to the NIA. He went one step further in also framing corruption charges against Shivsena leader and Maharashtra Transport Minister Anil Parab.