The Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) has registered a fresh FIR against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh for allegedly trying to frame BJP leaders in false cases. Deshmukh has called it a baseless case, triggering yet another verbal war between the Opposition and ruling parties ahead of the Assembly polls.

The CBI lodged the case after a two-year preliminary enquiry which originated from a pen drive handed over to the then Maharashtra Assembly speaker by Devendra Fadnavis, who was then the leader of the Opposition, the CBI officers told agencies in New Delhi. The probe was handed over to the CID and later to the CBI.