SC Rejects Bail Plea Of Nawab Malik In Money Laundering Case, Judicial Custody Extended Till May 6

Malik had challenged the March 15 order of the Bombay High Court which had refused to grant him release from judicial custody.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to grant bail to Maharashtra cabinet minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik in a case of money laundering noting that the probe is at a nascent stage.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant said that it will not interfere with the Bombay High Court order of March 15, news agency PTI reported.

Meanwhile, as per news agency ANI, a Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court on Friday extended the judicial custody of the Maharashtra Minister till May 6.

As per the apex court, Malik can avail the remedy available under the law before the trial court.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Nawab Malik, said the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader has been arrested in 2022 for something that happened in 1999.

He said there is no case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as there is no predicate offence.

According to PTI, the SC bench stated that the investigation is at a very nascent stage and it will not interfere with the high court order.

Malik had challenged the March 15 order of the Bombay High Court which had denied any interim relief to him, refusing to pass an order for his release from judicial custody.

Nawab Malik's Judicial Custody

A special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court on Friday extended the judicial custody of Nawab Malik till May 6

It had on Monday extended the judicial custody till April 22 after it was extended till April 18. 

The court had previously allowed him to be provided with a bed, mattress, and chair during his judicial custody. 

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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