BJP rallies at Azad Maidan demanding Nawab Malik’s resignation
At a protest rally led by Maharashtra Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis, the BJP pledged not to relent its agitation until NCP minister Nawab Malik, under ED scrutiny in a money laundering case, resigns from the cabinet. The protest was against the MVA government for supporting Malik and demanded his dismissal from the ministerial berth. The BJP has alleged Malik has links with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and that he entered into a property deal and money transaction with a 1993 serial bomb blast convict.
BJP MLC Padalkar apologizes for making insulting remarks
Padalkar allegedly made some remarks while referring to Desai. As Desai objected to the remarks, senior NCP legislator Satish Chavan joined him and asked Padalkar to tender an apology, but the latter refused to budge. Despite Gorhe’s intervention, the ruckus continued, following which the House was adjourned twice for 10 minutes and seven minutes. Later, the Council has adjourned again for 15 minutes after an uproar from the opposition members over their demand for the removal of minister Nawab Malik from the state cabinet, as he has been arrested in a money laundering case.
Maharashtra Legislative Council was adjourned twice after BJP legislator Gopichand Padalkar allegedly made some insulting remarks against Minister of State for Home Shambhuraj Desai and Council’s Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe.
Council Chairman Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar first adjourned the House for five minutes and then Gorhe adjourned the House for another 10 minutes. Later, the opposition members staged a walkout, demanding Malik’s removal from the state cabinet.
NCP leader in judicial custody till March 21
NCP Minister Nawab Malik told the Bombay High Court that the Enforcement Directorate (ED), by alleging that he continues to have under his possession the property – Goawala Building in Mumbai’s Kurla – reportedly involved in a money laundering case, wants to keep him in jail by infringing his personal liberty. The ED arrested Malik on February 23 and remanded him by a special court to the central agency’s custody. On Monday, a special court sent him to judicial custody till March 21.
Probe into extortion charges against ED officials begins
The Mumbai Police on Tuesday initiated an enquiry into the allegations of extortion made against some ED officials and one Jeetendra Navlani. Sources said the Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai Police will conduct the enquiry into the allegations made in a letter addressed to the Mumbai Police Commissioner.
Devendra Fadnavis, other BJP workers were detained during a protest demanding Nawab Malik’s resignation
Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis and other leaders were detained by police at Metro cinema.
Meanwhile, BJP workers held a protest at Azad Maidan demanding the resignation of Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, “False cases are never filed against anybody in Maharashtra. National agencies like NCB, CBI and ED get trained by the BJP and fabricate false cases, not Maharashtra police. Fadnavis should have patience; his sensational remarks are maligning state police.”
The enquiry is based on the eight-page letter written by one Arvind Bhosle titled ‘extortion/cheating/criminal conspiracy by Jeetendra Navlani and others’ In which he mentions seven companies which he alleges are held/closely controlled by Navlani who “is one of the conduits of Enforcement Directorate, Western Region”.
Mumbai Court: No prima facie money laundering case can be made out against Sachin Joshi
In its detailed order granting bail to actor-businessman Sachin Joshi, the special court has said that no prima facie money laundering case can be made against him. Joshi was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) following allegations that he had received funds that were part of proceeds of crime linked to Omkar Group. The ED had alleged that of the Rs 410-crore loan taken by the realtor company from Yes Bank, Joshi had received Rs 80 crore.
