News Analysis India

Tag: Nawab Malik

  • Nawab Malik moves SC against HC order rejecting his interim plea for release

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik has moved the Supreme Court against an order of the Bombay High Court which had rejected his interim application seeking immediate release in a case of money laundering.

    In his plea which has been drafted by advocate Ankur Chawla, Malik has challenged the March 15 order of the division bench of the high court which had rejected the application saying just because the special PMLA court’s order remanding him in custody is not in his favour, it does not make that order illegal or wrong.

    The special leave petition (SLP) has been filed by advocate V D Khanna.

    After the Enforcement Directorate had arrested Malik under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), he had filed a habeas corpus plea in the high court claiming that his arrest by the ED and the consequent remands were illegal.

    The high court had said that Malik’s counsel had argued before the PMLA court and vehemently opposed the ED’s request for the minister’s custody.

    “There is also merit in the submissions of the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) that merely because the special court granted the custody of petitioner (Malik) would not make that order illegal ipso facto because the petitioner is aggrieved,” the high court had said.

    The high court had said that Malik was arrested by the ED in accordance with the law, and subsequently been remanded to the probe agency’s custody and then to judicial custody following due process.

    It had noted that Malik had gone to the ED’s office for questioning on February, 23, the day he was arrested, in response to previous summons issued to him by the central agency.

    He was then issued an arrest order and taken into custody by the ED, the high court had said.

    “In the present case, there is no dispute on the factual aspect that custody order is passed by the competent court of jurisdiction- the special court,” the high court had said.

    “And secondly, merely because the order is against the petitioner, it cannot be termed as patently illegal,” the court had said.

    Malik was arrested by the ED over a property deal allegedly linked to the aides of gangster Dawood Ibrahim.

    Soon after his arrest, the minister had filed a habeas corpus plea in the high court, challenging his arrest and the remand orders.

    As an interim prayer, he had sought that he be released from custody immediately.

    The high court had said that Malik’s petition had raised some debatable issues and the court needed to hear at length the arguments from both sides before passing any final orders.

    The central agency has accused Malik of being part of an alleged criminal conspiracy to usurp a property in Mumbai’s Kurla area which currently has a market value of Rs 300 crore and belongs rightfully to one Munira Plumber.

    Malik had contended before the high court that he had bought the property in a bonafide transaction three decades ago, and Plumber has now changed her mind about the transaction.

  • NCP: Malik’s portfolios to be given ‘temporarily’ to his cabinet colleagues

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The NCP has decided to “temporarily” give charge of portfolios held by jailed Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik to his cabinet colleagues from the party, but the ruling coalition partner will not seek his resignation, Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil said on Thursday.

    Patil, who is also the NCP’s Maharashtra unit president, said the party’s decision will be conveyed to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray who, he added, will take the final call in this regard.

    Interacting with media persons here after attending a meeting called by NCP president Sharad Pawar to discuss the issue, Patil maintained the party will not take Malik’s resignation as the latter “was arrested in a wrong manner”.

    The meeting took place at Sharad Pawar’s residence here. It was attended by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, ministers Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil and party’s senior leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, besides Patil.

    Malik, a senior NCP leader, is a cabinet minister who holds minority affairs and skill development portfolios in the Shiv Sena-led MVA government.

    The 62-year-old NCP leader, arrested in late February by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged money laundering case, is currently in jail under judicial custody.

    Malik, who heads the NCP’s Mumbai unit, is also the guardian minister for Parbhani and Gondia districts. “His bail plea was rejected once again (recently). Hence, the charge of his responsibilities (portfolios) will be given to others in the next two to four days. We have decided to make this alternate temporary arrangement until he is available again,” Patil said.

    He said the details as to who will get charge of Malik’s portfolios will be declared after the same is informed to the chief minister first.

    According to sources, the NCP may give the charge of minority affairs portfolio to Housing Development Minister Jitendra Awhad. The charge of the skill development department may go to Rural Development Minister Hasan Mushrif, they added.

    Patil said the charge of Malik’s guardian ministerships of Parbhani and Gondia will be given to Social Justice Minister Dhananjay Munde and Minister of State for Urban Development Prajakt Tanpure, respectively.

    A formal request in this regard will be made to the chief minister, who will take a final call, the NCP minister added.

    Patil further said Malik will continue to remain the party’s Mumbai unit chief.

    However, the party has decided to appoint two working presidents, Narendra Rane and Rakhi Jadhav, in the Mumbai unit in view of the forthcoming civic polls in Mumbai, he added.

    On BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis’s remark in Nagpur that the BJP will win single-handedly in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly polls, Patil quipped, “I thank him on behalf of the MVA for saying that the alliance will be in power till 2024.”

    He asserted that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) MLAs will “not break away” and added that the alliance government is “stable and there is no threat to it”.

    The NCP and the Congress are constituents of the Shiv Sena-led MVA which came to power in November 2019.

    Fadnavis, a former CM, recently created a flutter when he accused the MVA of hatching a conspiracy to target BJP leaders and submitted a pen drive “as proof” to the Deputy Assembly Speaker.

    Asked about the claim made by the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Patil said authenticity of the content in the pen drive needs to be verified.

  • Maharashtra Assembly adjourned after Opposition asks government on Nawab Malik’s resignation

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Assembly was adjourned for 30 minutes on Wednesday after Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis demanded that the state government make a statement over the BJP’s demand that state minister Nawab Malik should either resign or be removed from the cabinet.

    Senior NCP leader Malik was arrested on February 23 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money-laundering probe linked to the activities of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his aides. He was on Monday sent to judicial custody.

    On Wednesday, soon after the Question Hour in the state Assembly ended, BJP leader Fadnavis said the state government should ask the minister to resign or Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray should remove him from the cabinet.

    Fadnavis said the government should make an announcement about it on the floor of the House immediately. Members of the BJP rushed to the well of the House and shouted slogans against the government.

    Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal then adjourned the House for 30 minutes. The BJP will stage a demonstration in Mumbai later in the day to demand Malik’s resignation.

  • Allegations against Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik look to be well-founded: PMLA court

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Prima facie, there are reasonable grounds to believe that allegations against Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik are “well-founded”, observed a special court here while remanding him in the custody of the ED in connection with a money laundering case.

    Special judge RN Rokade, designated to hear matters related to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), also said that sufficient time is required to be granted for the investigation of the offence and Malik’s custodial interrogation was necessary.

    The court on Wednesday remanded Malik, a senior NCP leader, in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate till March 3. Its detailed order was made available on Friday. Malik was arrested by the ED on Wednesday in a money laundering probe linked to the activities of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his aides.

    The court, in its order, said it appears from the report that accused has not cooperated with the investigation on the crucial aspect. “Prima facie, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the accusations are well-founded under PMLA,”the judge observed.

    The court held that the probe was at a nascent stage and Malik’s custodial interrogation is necessary to unearth all the ramifications involved in the crime. “The proceeds of crime have traversed since last 20 years and more. Therefore, sufficient time is required to be granted for the investigation of the offence,” the judge said.

    The ED case is based on an FIR filed recently by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Ibrahim, a fugitive gangster, and others. The NIA had filed its criminal complaint under sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

  • Nawab Malik has no right to continue in Maha cabinet, says BJP

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil on Thursday said state minister Nawab Malik has no right to remain a part of the state cabinet following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the activities of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his aides.

    He said that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also has no moral right to remain in power as the situation in the state is “extremely chaotic”.

    Patil made the statements here while participating in an agitation against Malik.

    Malik (62) was arrested on Wednesday after being questioned for about five hours at the ED office in south Mumbai’s Ballard Estate area and later produced before special judge R N Rokade, who remanded him in the ED custody till March 3.

    “Malik has no right to be part of the Maharashtra government’s cabinet. Also CM Uddhav Thackeray cannot remain at the helm of affairs,” Patil said.

    “The situation in Maharastra is such that it requires imposition of President’s rule. The situation in the state is extremely chaotic,” the former minister added.

    After Malik’s arrest, the opposition BJP is vociferously demanding his resignation, but the ruling NCP and its allies – Shiv Sena and Congress – have come out in support of the minister.

    The parties have ruled out the possibility of his resignation.

  • Some superheroes are called dad, says Nawab Malik’s daughter after his arrest

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Some superheroes don’t wear capes, they are called dad, said Nilofer Malik, daughter of Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik, after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday.

    The ED arrested Malik after questioning him for about five hours at its office in south Mumbai’s Ballard Estate area in a money laundering probe linked to the activities of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his aides.

    The 62-year-old NCP leader was later produced before special Judge R N Rokade, who remanded him to ED custody till March 3 for further probe into the matter.

    When the minister was brought to the court, Nilofer, who was waiting on the premises, got an opportunity to meet her father, although briefly.

    When the ED’s vehicle carrying Malik entered the court premises and stopped, Nilofer could not stop her tears. She went close to the SUV, held her father’s hand and hugged him after opening the vehicle’s door. She then kissed her father’s hand and raised her clenched fist to show her support.

    A video of the emotional moment between the father-daughter duo was later circulated on social media. Along with Nilofer, Malik’s another daughter was also present inside the court during the hearing.

    After the brief meeting with her father, Nilofer said in a tweet, “Some superheroes don’t wear capes. They are called Dad.” with hashtags #NawabMalikMyHero #NawabMalik #WeStandWithNawabMalik.

  • Malik sent to ED custody till March 3 in money laundering case

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: After a court here remanded Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik in the ED custody following his arrest in a money laundering probe on Wednesday, he was brought to the central agency’s office in south Mumbai, where he will have to spend the night, an official said.

    A special court remanded the state Minority Affairs Minister to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) till March 3 in a money laundering probe linked to the activities of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his aides.

    Malik was arrested earlier in the day after being questioned for about five hours at the ED office in south Mumbai’s Ballard Estate area since around 8 am.

    ALSO READ | BJP seeks Malik’s resignation after arrest by ED; Sena says he was held in ‘cunning manner’

    The 62-year-old NCP leader was produced before special Judge R N Rokade, who remanded him in the ED custody for further probe into the matter.

    “After the court hearing, Malik was brought to the ED office in Ballard Estate around 9 pm. The minister will have to spent this night at the ED office,” the official said.

    The senior NCP leader was brought to the central agency’s office amid tight security of the CRPF personnel, he said.

    While getting down from the vehicle at night, Malik once again waved at media persons, just like he had done in the afternoon after stepping out of the ED office after his questioning.

  • BJP seeks Malik’s resignation after arrest by ED; Sena says he was held in ‘cunning manner’

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The BJP on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik following his arrest by the ED, but Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut countered it saying that the NCP leader should not be asked to step down as he was held in a “cunning manner”.

    The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Malik in a money laundering case linked to the activities of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, his aides and the Mumbai underworld.

    The 62-year-old NCP leader was taken to the ED’s office in south Mumbai for questioning in the morning and was later arrested. Malik is the first serving cabinet minister to be arrested on money laundering charges.

    Following his arrest, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil demanded that the minister should be removed from the state cabinet.

    ALSO READ | Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik produced before special court after arrest by ED in money laundering case

    Speaking to reporters, he said, “There is a law, which states that a minister should be removed from his post if he is facing criminal charges. Malik should be removed or asked to step down from his post.”

    Apart from being the chief spokesperson of NCP, Malik is the Minority Affairs and Skill Development Minister in the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress’s Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

    “Two chief ministers of Maharashtra had resigned from their post in the past after facing such serious allegations. It is a tradition in the state to step away from a constitutional post till the charges are cleared,” he said.

    ALSO READ | ED arrests Maharashtra Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik in money laundering case

    BJP leader Kirit Somaiya said, “After former home minister Anil Deshmukh, now Malik has been arrested under the ongoing probe by the ED. Those ministers who are indulging in corrupt practices in the Uddhav Thackeray-led government will face the consequences. We will make Maharashtra corruption-free.”

    Countering the BJP’s attack, Sanjay Raut said in a tweet, “Attempts of backstabbing are on since it is not possible to fight the MVA face-to-face. Let it be. Let there be euphoria that a minister has been arrested in a cunning manner. Nawab Malik shouldn’t be asked to resign. We will fight and win. Even Kansa and Ravana were killed. This is Hindutva. Jai maharashtra!”

  • NCP ministers meet after Malik’s arrest; Pawar to call on Maharashtra CM

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Some NCP ministers in Maharashtra met at the residence of party president Sharad Pawar here on Wednesday evening to discuss the situation arising out of the arrest of their cabinet and party colleague Nawab Malik by the ED in connection with a money laundering case.

    Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, ministers Chhagan Bhujbal, Hasan Mushrif and Rajesh Tope were present at Sharad Pawar’s residence ‘Silver Oak’ in South Mumbai for the meeting, party sources said.

    “The meeting was called to discuss the current situation that has arisen post Malik’s arrest and the party’s future course of action,” the sources said.

    They said Malik’s portfolios could be shared with his party colleagues in the cabinet in case he resigns.

    Malik, a senior NCP leader, holds the skill development portfolio besides the minority affairs department in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

    The NCP president is likely to meet chief minister Uddhav Thackeray at the latter’s official residence ‘Varsha’ in south Mumbai later in the evening in the wake of the sudden development.

    Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders and MVA Ministers Balasaheb Thorat and Ashok Chavan called on Sharad Pawar and discussed the fallout of Malik’s arrest.

    Another Congress minister Sunil Kedar also joined the meeting.

    The NCP and the Congress are constituents of the Shiv Sena-led MVA government.

    Criticism continued to pour in from NCP leaders over Malik’s arrest.

    Maharashtra NCP president and minister Jayant Patil said the state never saw such political vendetta in the past and claimed efforts were being made to pull down the MVA government.

    Speaking during the party’s on-going mass outreach programme in Solapur in western Maharashtra, Patil said Malik has been arrested “without any reason”.

    “People are seeing such politics right now, but they will express their opinion at the right time,” Patil said.

    Without naming anyone, the NCP leader alleged “some people” want to topple the MVA government “anyhow”.

    “Arrests are being made for no reason with the help of central agencies. This is not right,” Patil added.

    The state water resources minister alleged he, too, was pressurised to join the BJP in 2019, but he resisted pressures and didn’t leave the NCP.

  • Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik produced before special court after arrest by ED in money laundering case

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik was produced before a special court here on Wednesday after the Enforcement Directorate arrested him in a money laundering case probe linked to the activities of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, his aides and the Mumbai underworld.

    In the morning, Malik was taken to the ED’s office in south Mumbai for questioning and he was later arrested.

    ALSO READ | ED arrests Maharashtra Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik in money laundering case

    The 62-year-old NCP leader was taken to the state-run J J Hospital in the afternoon for a medical check-up after which he was taken to the sessions court.

    Malik, clad in a white kurta, was brought to the courtroom of Special Judge R N Rokade, designated to hear matters related to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), at 4.50 pm and was made to stand in the witness box.

    When the judge asked him if he had any grievances, Malik said the ED officials came to his house in the morning and took him to their office.

    ALSO READ | Will fight and win, won’t bow down: Nawab Malik on ED action

    “In the office, they (ED) made me sign a document which they later said was the summons,” the minister told the court.

    Further proceedings are on.