Cabinet minister Nawab Malik was remanded by a special court in judicial custody on Monday in a money laundering case connected to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, in which he was arrested on Feb 23.
The Enforcement Directorate, in whose custody he had completed 13 days, did not seek his further custody for interrogation and sought for him to be remanded in judicial custody.
Malik had been availing home food facility while in the ED’s custody and sought that the same facility be provided in prison. Special Judge RN Rokade said jail has different rules and that it would have to call for a response from prison. To this, Malik’s advocate Taraq Sayed requested that in the meantime, Malik be permitted the facility due to his medical condition. He also pointed out that Malik had been in hospital twice during his period in the ED’s custody. “What if his condition worsens in two days? Jail is a different ballgame. He required a special liquid diet. The jail has many inmates and may not be able to take care,” he told the court. The court passed an order permitting home food for Malik till the prison sends its report, expected on March 10, on whether home food is required for Malik in prison.
Malik’s advocate also filed an application to be provided a copy of his discharge report from JJ hospital where the NCP leader was admitted between Feb 25 and 28. The court directed the ED to provide the copy.
