Rs 3 Crore Demand Made From Nawab Malik's Son For Minister's Release, Case Filed

NCP leader Nawab Malik was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last month in connection with a money laundering case linked to the activities of gangster Dawood Ibrahim.

Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik after ED arrest (Getty Images)

New Delhi: Nawab Malik's son has claimed that an unidentified person allegedly demanded Rs 3 crore from him to get the Maharashtra minister out on bail. Mumbai Police has now registered an FIR in the matter, PTI quoted officials as saying.

NCP leader Nawab Malik was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last month in connection with a money laundering case linked to the activities of gangster Dawood Ibrahim. 

Following a complaint filed by Nawab Malik's son Amir Malik, the VB Nagar police registered the FIR late Wednesday night, PTI reported.

READ | Bombay HC Denies Interim Relief To Nawab Malik, Judicial Custody To Continue Till March 21

According to Amir, he received an email from one Imtiyaaz who allegedly said he would try to get NCP leader Nawab Malik out on bail and demanded Rs 3 crore in Bitcoins.

"I have lodged the FIR, but can't share more about it as it is a confidential matter," Amir Malik told PTI.

"We have registered the FIR under various Indian Penal Code sections, including 419 (punishment for cheating by personation), 420 (cheating), and provisions of the IT Act. Further investigation is underway," a senior police official said.

Nawab Malik was arrested by the ED on February 23 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) over a property deal allegedly linked to the aides of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. He is currently lodged at the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai.

On Tuesday, the Bombay High Court rejected an interim application in Nawab Malik's habeas corpus petition seeking his immediate release from ED custody. In his plea, Malik claimed that his arrest was "illegal", done with "political vendetta" and without following due process under the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

He has been remanded to judicial custody till March 21.