Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday arrested NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik after probing him in connection with a money laundering case linked to Dawood Ibrahim and the underworld.
The probe agency has been questioning Nawab Malik since 8 am today. Following the arrest, Nawab Malik was taken to hospital for a routine medical check-up. “Ladenge aur jeetenge (Will fight and win),” the minister said while being taken to the hospital.
According to sources, Nawab Malik was issued summons to appear before the ED in a case registered against underworld don and terror financer Dawood Ibrahim, his brother Anees, Iqbal, aide Chota Shakeel and others.
Last week, the ED started conducting searches at various locations across Mumbai for elements related to the underworld and Dawood Ibrahim. The ED raids were in connection with the recently registered case against Dawood Ibrahim by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Nawab Malik’s deal with an aide of Dawood Ibrahim Sardar Shahvali Khan and Haseena Parkar’s bodyguard Salim Patel is under the scanner of the agency. Haseena Parkar was the sister of Dawood Ibrahim.
Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis has alleged that property worth crores was bought at mere Rs 30 lakhs by Nawab Malik from Sardar Shahvali Khan and Salim Patel.
ED officials are also looking into some other business dealings of Malik and people close to him. Sources said that the agency was armed with primary evidence against Malik and he could face action against him.
According to sources, the ED claims to have established a money trail linking Nawab Malik to people connected to the underworld.
The ED also says that they have details of benami investments of Nawab Malik in a certain real estate project. The remand of Nawab Malik will be sought today on these grounds.