AGENCIES
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today 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 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 is the second NCP cabinet minister to be arrested in the last few months. Anil Deshmukh stepped down as Maharashtra home minister after he was arrested by the same agency, the ED, in a money laundering case arising following the allegations levelled against him by former Mumbai CP Param Bir Singh.