Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 18: A Special PMLA Court in Mumbai on Tuesday formally framed charges against former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik in a money laundering case linked to the syndicate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Malik, who is out on bail, pleaded not guilty, but the court found sufficient evidence to proceed with the trial.

The case revolves around the alleged illegal acquisition of nearly three acres of land in Kurla’s Goawala Compound, said to belong to Munira Plumber. Malik, along with Dawood’s sister Haseena Parkar, her aide Salim Patel, and 1993 Mumbai blasts accused Sardar Khan, is accused of conspiring to grab the property and launder the proceeds, estimated by the Enforcement Directorate at around Rs 16 crore.

Earlier, Malik’s firm, Malik Infrastructure, had filed a discharge plea, claiming the ED’s allegations were based on “guesses and conjectures” and that the company did not exist at the time of the alleged transactions. The court, however, rejected the plea, noting that preliminary investigations suggested Malik and the co-accused, linked to D-Company, were involved in the land acquisition and laundering.

Malik also sought a six-week postponement for framing of charges, citing an upcoming Bombay High Court petition and incomplete disclosure of certain documents by the ED. Special Public Prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves countered that no stay was granted by the High Court and the trial could not be delayed. The court agreed, referencing Supreme Court and High Court directions to expedite cases involving MPs and MLAs.

Malik was arrested in February 2022 for allegedly colluding with Haseena Parkar to acquire the Kurla property through forged documents and criminal intimidation. With charges now framed, the trial against Malik and other accused is set to commence.