Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Wednesday walked out of Mumbai's Arthur Road jail in the presence of his supporters.
He has been released in a corruption case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation in April this year. The Bombay High Court on Tuesday had refused to extend its stay on an order granting him bail.
The senior NCP leader had been in jail since November 2021 after the Enforcement Directorate arrested him in an alleged money laundering case. He has been accused of misusing his office by collecting bribe worth over ₹4.70 crore from Mumbai bars through police officers.
Also watch: NCP's Anil Deshmukh to walk out of Arthur Road Jail, CBI approaches SC over bail order
Justice M S Karnik had granted bail to the 73-year-old Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader on December 12, but stayed the order for 10 days as the CBI sought time to challenge it in the Supreme Court.
The probe agency moved the apex court but the appeal would be heard only in January 2023 as the court is closed for vacation.
Last week, the high court had extended the stay till December 27 on the CBI's request.
On Tuesday, the central agency sought another extension which was refused by the high court.
(With PTI inputs)