Nawab Malik's Meeting With Ajit Pawar Sparks Speculation Amid Rumours of Potential Defections

Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and NCP leader Ajit Pawar seems to be keeping the BJP on tenterhooks after the former included senior NCP (SCP) leader Nawab Malik in his meeting convened on Tuesday night. The meeting, which was held amidst rumours of potential defections to the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar at his official residence Devgiri, also discussed strategies for the upcoming legislative council elections in Maharashtra.

While the BJP is yet to react to the videos showing Malik, who is out on bail, it has been widely speculated that Pawar's move has irked Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis and the BJP.

However, an insider from the NCP camp claimed that Malik would remain with the NCP.

SC Extends Malik's Bail by 6 Months

The Supreme Court on January 11 extended by six months the interim bail of former Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik in a money laundering case. A Bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal extended the medical bail granted to Malik after Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, said the probe agency has no objection to it. On October 12 last year, the top court extended by three months the interim bail of Malik in the case. Malik had moved the top court against the Bombay High Court's July 13 order denying him bail on medical grounds in the case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate.

SC Said Malik Was Suffering From Kidney Ailment

The top court had earlier noted that Malik is suffering from kidney ailment and his condition has not improved since August 11 last year when he was granted interim bail for two months.

Malik's Alleged Links With Dawood Ibrahim

The ED arrested Malik in February 2022 in a case allegedly linked to the activities of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his associates. Malik had sought relief from the high court, claiming he was suffering from a chronic kidney disease apart from various other ailments. He also sought bail on merit. The high court had said it would hear his plea seeking bail on merit after two weeks.

The ED's case against Malik is based on an FIR filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Dawood Ibrahim, a designated global terrorist and a key accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, and his associates under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. (with PTI inputs)