The Supreme Court on Thursday directed that the interim medical bail granted to former Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik in connection with a money-laundering case against him, be extended by six months [Nawab Malik vs Directorate of Enforcement & Anr].A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal passed the order after Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), did not object to the request."It may be extended. They have asked for six months. No objection," Raju submitted.
"Temporary medical bail of petitioner extended by six months as prayed for. List the main matter after six months," the Court directed.The ED had arrested Malik on allegations that he had purchased certain property at a rate lower than market value.After a special PMLA court took cognisance of the chargesheet in May 2022, Malik had filed for regular bail.Malik later moved the High Court after a Mumbai special court rejected his bail plea on November 30, 2022.The High Court rejected Malik's plea for interim medical bail in July 2023 leading to the instant appeal before the Supreme Court.
In August 2023, the top court granted interim bail to Malik for two months. At the time, the Court had noted that Malik was in the hospital to treat kidney disease and related ailments.
Hence, bail was granted strictly in view of Malik's medical condition and not on merits.It was subsequently extended in October 2023 by three months.
TAGS: Supreme Court Nawab Malik Interim Medical Bail Money-Laundering Case
