As the war of words between Maharashtra’s former CM Devendra Fadnavis and NCP leader Nawab Malik intensifies, Malik made staggering claims linking Fadnavis with a 'nexus of fake notes' having direct 'connection with Pakistan's ISIS'
"When demonetization happened in 2016, a lot of ₹2000 and ₹500 fake currency notes were caught, but till 8 October 2017, there was no case of fake notes in Maharashtra, because, under Devendra Fadnavis' leadership, a game of fake notes was being played," Malik said in a press conference on Wednesday.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted a raid on Haji Imran Alam Shaikh and seized fake notes worth ₹8,80,00 on 8 October 2017. Malik claims that the DRI - which was then headed by Sameer Wankhede - underplayed the raid and hid the actual amount which was "14 crore 56 lakh". Shaikh reportedly had links with D-Company.
While making serious allegations against Fadnavis, Nawab Malik accused the former CM of conducting a nexus of fake notes and said, "Why was Alam Shaikh out on bail in just two days in such a serious matter? Why was Shaikh's elder brother made chairman of minority commission?"
'Fadnavis Is Responsible For Criminalisation Of Politics'
Malik made other claims saying that Fadnavis was 'providing protection' to goons and appointing them to administrative positions. He said that Fadnavis put corrupt people at the helm of many institutions.
Haji Hyder Azam, Mumbai's BJP ex-vice-president and former chairman of Maulana Azad Minorities Financial Development Corporation, was also mentioned by Malik. He said that Azam's wife had a case against her in Malad police station 'but due to Fadnavis's involvement, the case was brushed under the carpet.'
"One Riyaz Bhati, a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim, was arrested at Mumbai airport with a fake passport. He was allowed bail in 2 days only. Why was Riyaz Bhati in close contact with you (Devendra Fadnavis)?. Bhati has been seen with many big leaders in pictures," said Nawab Malik.
'Fadnavis Is Shielding One Officer'
I'm fighting against a man who is framing innocent people in fake cases. Devendra Fadnavis is not only diverting my issue but also trying to defend one officer (Sameer Wankhede
“Devendra Fadnavis is trying to malign my image by connecting me to blast convicts & the underworld. They did the same by saying that the drug was recovered from my place, will send him legal notice,” Malik had said on Sunday.
Malik was also in headlines for his attack on NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede in the drugs on cruise case. He had said that the Bharatiya Janata Party 'must stop shielding frauds' like Wankhede and Bhanushali. "I am not fighting a political fight, It is a fight against extortion, it is a fight for truth," he said.