Special Court Orders Charges Against Nawab Malik in PMLA Case

A special court in Mumbai has ordered the framing of charges against several individuals, including former state minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik, in a money laundering case connected to Dawood Ibrahim‘s late sister, Haseena Parkar. This decision follows the rejection of a discharge plea by Malik and several co-accused on November 14, 2023.

In delivering the ruling, Special Judge Satyanarayan R Navander stated that the submissions made by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) indicated that Malik, in collaboration with members of the D-Company—specifically Parkar, Salim Patel, and Sardar Khan—was involved in laundering property acquired through illegal means. The judge emphasized that this activity qualifies as “proceeds of crime” under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

According to the ED, the rent collected through companies controlled by Malik, namely Malik Infrastructure and Solidus Investments Pvt Ltd, also constitutes proceeds of crime as defined by the PMLA. The court has set the next hearing for the framing of charges on November 18, 2023, directing all accused parties, including Malik, to be present.

The judge noted that the allegations involve Malik illegally occupying the “Kurla General Store” in Goawala compound, Kurla West, starting in 1996. After taking on the role of state minister, he allegedly usurped the entire premises with the assistance of Parkar. The ED has estimated the proceeds of crime at approximately ₹16 crore (about USD 1.9 million).

This case stems from an FIR filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on February 3, 2022, against Dawood Ibrahim and others under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The complaint alleges that Malik conspired with Parkar, Patel, and Khan—who is a convict in the 1993 Mumbai blast case—to unlawfully acquire a 3-acre plot belonging to the original owner, Munira Plumber, using forged documentation, including a fraudulent power of attorney dated July 23, 1999. The ED has provisionally attached this property.

Malik Infrastructure had filed the discharge plea, arguing that it had entered into a lease agreement with Solidus Investments in 2010-11, claiming it did not exist at the time of the alleged illegal activities. The judge dismissed this argument, stating, “Accused No 3 (Malik Infrastructure) is represented by Accused No 1 (Nawab Malik) himself, who is a partner and controlling mind of the company.” The court highlighted that the distinction between the two companies is largely administrative, serving tax purposes.

As the case progresses, the implications for Malik and the other accused could be significant, with potential consequences under the PMLA leading to substantial penalties or imprisonment. The developments in this high-profile case are being closely monitored, given its connections to organized crime and political figures.