Nawab Malik’s ED custody extended till Monday in money laundering case

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, Mar 03, 2022: Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik will now remain in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate till March 7. The minister, who was remanded to the ED’s custody till March 3 after he was arrested on February 23 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), was produced before a special court in Mumbai.

 

"Since the accused was in hospital, his statement could not be recorded. Considering the new facts that are put forth by the ED, the accused is remanded to ED custody till March 7," Judge Rahul Rokde said. The court also rejected an application filed by Malik opposing his remand and seeking release.

Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, while seeking the minister’s further custody, said that Nawab Malik had complained of health problems and was taken for medical examination. The minister was hospitalised on February 25 and discharged on February 28, Singh told the court, adding that during this period, his statement could not be recorded.

Nawab Malik had given Rs 55 lakh in cash to fugitive terrorist Dawood Ibrahim’s sister Haseena Parkar for a three-acre plot in Mumbai’s Kurla 20 years ago, the ED had said in its remand copy in the last hearing.The agency’s remand copy before the court today stated a clarification: Rs 55 lakh was a typographical error. It was Rs 5 lakh."On the last application, they came to this court with many things that were said about the connection between my client and the underworld gang. They came with a written application saying that he is actively involved in terror funding. They said Rs 55 lakh in cash was given to Haseena Parkar and therefore, they linked it with the underworld. Now they clarify that Rs 55 lakh was a typographical error. I have lost six days and now they say that it should be Rs 5 lakh," advocate Amit Desai appearing for the minister along with advocates Kushal Mor and Tarah Sayyed argued.

"Typographical error is being told today. This should shock the court’s conscience. And then they come to court solemnly and say ’give us more time’. When you are dealing with liberty, please don’t rush into arresting people. They are doing an important service, but the rights of the citizens are very important. Every citizen cannot be treated like a criminal," Desai further added.

Replying to this, Anil Singh argued, "That 5 lakh is in the statement of a witness and it was wrongly written as Rs 55 lakh in the remand copy. No one pointed it out but we realized our mistake. So we had to correct it in the remand as we wanted to appear fairly before the court. The Rs 55 lakh was not used in the order."

Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik was arrested on February 23 after nearly five hours of questioning by the agency in its South Mumbai office in connection with a money laundering case and his alleged links with Dawood Ibrahim.

Courtesy:India Today