Dismissed API Sachin Waze referred to former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh as “No. 1” during his alleged dealings with bar and orchestra owners, mid-day has learnt. Sources said ED, which is probing money laundering in connection with former police chief Param Bir Singh’s Rs 100 crore corruption allegation against Deshmukh, took a fresh statement from Waze on July 11 to get more clarity on the “No. 1” since cops often use such a code to address their commissioner.

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Deshmukh’s personal secretary Sanjeev Palande and personal assistant Kundan Shinde last month. Sources said ED sought to dig deep after speaking to several bar and orchestra owners. The businessmen said Waze would claim that the protection money taken from them would go to “No.1”.