JUDGMENT :

1. The Applicant, who is arraigned in PMLA Case No.1089 of 2021 arising out of ECIR No.NBZO/1/66 of 2021, at the instance of Directorate of Enforcement (ED) for the offences punishable under Section 4 read with Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), has preferred this Application to enlarge him on bail.

2. The prelude to the registration of the above numbered ECIR, can be stated as under :

2.1 A FIR bearing C.R.No.35 of 2021 was registered with Gamdevi Police Station, Mumbai, in connection with an occurrence, wherein a gelatin laden SUV was found near the residence of an industrialist. NIA took over investigation. Mr. Sachin Waze, the then API attached to the Crime Investigation, Unit of Crime Branch, Mumbai was arrested. In the wake of the controversy, by an order dated 17th March, 2021, Mr. Param Bir Singh, the then Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, came to be transferred from the said post. The Applicant was then holding the office of the Home Minister, Government of Maharashtra.

2.2 Mr. Param Bir Singh, addressed a letter dated 20th March, 2021 to the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra, making certain allegations against the Applicant. As the con