Money Laundering Case: Bombay HC Rejects Nawab Malik Plea For Temporary Medical Bail

The Bombay High Court has recently dismissed the interim bail of Nawab Malik, former Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader, in a money laundering case.

Nawab Malik had demanded bail from the Bombay High Court on medical grounds.

Single judge Justice Anuja Prabhudessai rejected the plea and scheduled a hearing on Malik’s bail request based on its merits in 2 weeks.

Malik was arrested by the ED on allegations of purchasing property below market value.

Following the chargesheet filed in May 2022, Malik applied for regular bail, which was rejected by a Mumbai special court on November 30, 2022.

Subsequently, Malik approached the High Court, arguing that the Special Court had not considered the observations made by the High Court in granting bail to former Maharashtra Home Minister, Anil Deshmukh.

In his bail plea, Malik not only sought relief on medical grounds but also requested bail based on the merits of the case.

During the hearing, Malik’s counsel, Senior Advocate Amit Desai, highlighted Malik’s severe kidney ailments and the deteriorating condition of his right kidney.

Desai emphasized the necessity for medical treatment and a stress-free environment for Malik to be fit for trial.

However, the ED strongly opposed the submission, with Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh stating that stress cannot be a valid ground for seeking bail, as everyone experiences stress.

The judge delivered the verdict on the limited prayer for medical bail today.