New Delhi: A special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court on Monday extended the judicial custody of Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik till April 22.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case on February 23.
Previously, the Special PMLA had extended the judicial custody of Nawab Malik till April 18.
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Nawab Malik was produced before Special Judge RN Rokade, designated to hear cases related to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, news agency PTI reported.
The NCP leader stepped into the witness box and informed the court that he has been unwell due to kidney ailments and that he has a swelling in his legs.
He further stated that whenever he complained of pain in his legs, the jail authorities only provided him with painkillers.
"I want a permanent solution to my medical problems," Nawab Malik said, as quoted by PTI.
The Maharashtra Minister's lawyer Kushal Mor told the court that his plea filed before the Supreme Court challenging his arrest and seeking immediate release is likely to be heard on April 22.
Special Judge Rokade then extended Nawab Malik's judicial custody till April 22.
The court had previously allowed him to be provided with a bed, mattress, and chair during his judicial custody.
The Bombay High Court had denied any interim relief to the NCP leader as it refused to pass an order for his release from judicial custody.
SC To Hear Nawab Malik's Plea Seeking Release From Prison
Last week, the Supreme Court agreed to list for hearing a plea of Nawab Malik filed against the Bombay High Court order which rejected his interim application seeking immediate release in the money laundering case.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana agreed to list the case for hearing after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Malik, mentioned the matter for urgent listing of the case, news agency ANI reported.
Sibal told the apex court, "This is Nawab Malik's matter where ED is taking proceedings. The act came into place in 2005, the transaction is prior to 2000. A transaction from 22 years ago is sought to proceed.
"To this, CJI said, "Yes, we will list it."
Malik has challenged the March 15 order of the Bombay High Court which had rejected his application stating that Malik was arrested by the ED in accordance with the law, and subsequently been remanded to the ED's custody and then to judicial custody following due process.
ED had arrested Minorities Development Minister Nawab Malik on February 23 over a property deal allegedly linked to the aides of gangster Dawood Ibrahim.
The central agency has accused the NCP leader 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 submitted 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.
As per inputs, ED has attached 8 properties of the Maharashtra minister under the anti-money laundering law.
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