Nawab Malik remanded to ED custody till March 3 in connection with money laundering case

Nawab Malik

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on February 23 arrested NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik in connection with the money laundering case against underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his aides. Late on Wednesday the Special PMLA Court, where the minister was produced, sent him to the ED’s custody till March 3.

The lawyers of NCP leader also made applications seeking permission for home food, medicine, and his lawyer's presence during interrogation. In response, the ED has agreed to Malik's medicines being provided and his lawyer's presence during interrogation.

Earlier in the day, Sources told news agency ANI that Malik was not cooperating in the questioning.

"Have been arrested, but won't be scared. We will fight and win," the minister said.

#WATCH | Mumbai: NCP leader and Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik being brought out of Enforcement Directorate office, to be taken for medical examination.

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He has been arrested by Enforcement Directorate in connection with Dawood Ibrahim money laundering case. pic.twitter.com/UMAVK5ZEVW — ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2022

Centre using its machinery against BJP's political rivals

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut had alleged that central probe agencies, like a "mafia", were targeting BJP's political opponents who expose falsehood.

"This is a challenge to the Maharashtra government. The central investigation agencies, like a mafia, are targeting BJP's political opponents who expose falsehood. But, truth will prevail and the fight will continue," Raut said.

"This (targeting of individuals by digging old cases) will continue till 2024 and after that, they will have to face the consequences," Raut said in a veiled attack on the BJP and central agencies.

MP Supriya Sule said that NCP was not surprised by the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) action.

The Lok Sabha member from Maharashtra said it was unfortunate that the Centre was using its machinery against the BJP's political rivals in a suppressive manner.

"It was expected, Nawab Bhai too had expected this. He had also tweeted in the past that he would keep tea and biscuits ready if the ED officials arrived at his home. Had they issued a notice (to Malik), they would have also got breakfast before leaving (Malik's residence). But they did not issue a notice," Sule told a TV channel.

Sule, who is the daughter of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, claimed the ED's notice is issued only to opposition leaders.

NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto alleged that the action against Malik was nothing but pressure tactics to silence his voice. In a tweet, he wrote, "He was exposing the wrongdoings of some people as a Chief Spokesperson of a political party. Voices of truth cannot be silenced."

Background 

Meanwhile, the ED's move comes after the registration of a new case and raids conducted by it on February 15 in Mumbai in connection with the operations of the underworld, linked alleged illegal property deals, and hawala transactions.

The searches were conducted at 10 locations, including premises linked to 1993 Mumbai blasts mastermind and fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim's late sister Haseena Parkar, brother Iqbal Kaskar and Salim Qureshi alias Salim Fruit, brother-in-law of gangster Chhota Shakeel.

Kaskar, who was already in jail, has been arrested by the agency last week. It also questioned Parkar's son.