The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted NCP leader Nawab Malik permanent bail in a money laundering case. The court had previously granted him interim medical bail due to deteriorating health conditions.
A bench comprising Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma made the interim bail absolute, subject to conditions imposed by the special court. The bail will remain in effect until the disposal of Malik’s regular bail plea before the Bombay High Court.
Malik’s counsel informed the court of his client’s severe health issues, including the collapse of one lung. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), represented by Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, did not oppose the conversion of interim bail to permanent bail.
Malik has been in and out of hospital since his arrest in February 2022. The ED accused him of usurping a property in Kurla with the help of Dawood Ibrahim’s sister, Haseena Parkar, between 1999 and 2006. The agency alleges that the proceeds from this property were used to fund terrorist activities.
The NCP leader has consistently maintained his innocence and challenged the ED’s allegations.