Arresting Nawab Malik: Vendetta Or Result Of Thorough Probe?
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By Our Editorial Team
First publised on 2022-02-24 03:47:41
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The India Commentary view
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No one is above the law. But the record of the NDA government in going after critics is so bad that any action it takes against those who are vocal in criticizing the government is always questioned. Hence it is that the questioning and the subsequent arrest of Nawab Malik, NCP leader, Maharashtra minister and a vocal critic of the Centre by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is being projected as another instance of the Centre using central agencies to harass its critics. ED said it was forced to arrest Malik as he was evasive in his replies during questioning. It also said that the arrest was not political vendetta but done after a thorough probe.
Malik has been arrested in a money laundering and terror financing case. He is accused of buying a property usurped by the Dawood gang and making direct payment to Dawood's sister Haseena Parkar. He is also accused of helping the gang in usurping properties and making payments in cash. The ED has also said in its remand application that the cash dealings were akin to terror financing as they helped the Dawood gang financially. The ED said Hassena Parkar's son Alishah Parkar provided them with vital information linking Malik to the case. Malik's lawyer questioned the allegation of terror financing after 20 years.
The opposition has united to brand the arrest as political vendetta. NCP and Shiv Sena have accused the Centre of highhandedness. The MVA government in Maharashtra has decided not to remove Malik as minister. NCP chief Sharad Pawar called West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee who pledged her support.
ED's case against Malik does not appear to be strong. A property transaction where a part of the sum was paid in cash will not be enough to make the charges of terror financing stick. The agency will have to prove clear connection between the Dawood gang's business of usurping properties and Malik's direct involvement in the business, either through finance or using his political connections to shield the gang members from arrest or threatening property owners. But given its track record, it will be difficult for the ED to prove the charges.
