Maharashtra
Bombay High Court: ‘Can Nawab Malik be considered as sick person under PMLA to be released on bail?’
Mumbai: Can the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik be considered as a sick person as defined under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and hence entitled to be released on bail? Asked the Bombay High Court on tuesday.
Justice MS Karnik posed the question to Malik’s lawyers while hearing the bail plea filed by the NCP leader on medical grounds.
Malik was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on February 23, 2022 in an alleged money laundering case involving fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim for usurping a land at a price much below the market rate.
“If not satisfied on medical grounds then wait,” says court
Justice Karnik said: “If I am not satisfied on medical grounds then you (Malik) will have to wait for your turn (for the bail plea to be heard on merits). There are many other urgent matters on board. Tomorrow, I don’t want anyone to say anything.”
The judge asked Malik’s counsel Amit Desai and Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh, appearing for the ED, to first argue on who can be termed as a “sick person” as per the provisions of the PMLA.
The law
Section 45 of the PMLA lays down ‘twin conditions’ to be eligible to be released on bail – reasonable grounds to believe the accused is not prima facie guilty of the offence and the accused shall not commit any offence while on bail. The court has to ascertain whether these conditions are met while deciding on a bail plea. However, these twin conditions would not apply if the accused is below 16 years or is a woman or is sick or infirm. Then s/he is entitled to be released on bail.
“I have some questions on this as many matters are now coming up where the person (accused) says grant me bail as I am sick. So I want to know who is a sick person. I want you to argue on this ‘sick person’, who will be a sick person,” said Justice Karnik. He further added: “If I am satisfied that the applicant in the present case (Malik) is a sick person then the twin conditions won’t apply. But if I am of the opinion that he is not a sick person or is being treated well while in judicial custody then his bail plea would be heard later on merits.”
Bail plea for hearing on February 21
ASG Singh said he would point out to the court that Malik was not a “sick person” and hence the twin conditions would be applicable while deciding his bail plea.
However, Desai cited the order passed by Justice Karnik while granting bail to NCP leader and former home minister Anil Deshmukh wherein the bail order was passed on “medical grounds and merits”.
The HC has kept the bail plea for hearing on February 21.
The HC had granted bail to Deshmukh on December 12, 2022 in the corruption case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Malik approached the HC last November after the special PMLA court rejected his bail plea. The special court, in May 2022, rejected his bail plea observing that prima facie there was evidence against him. The court, however, permitted Malik to get admitted in a private hospital for treatment. At present, he is in judicial custody and currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Mumbai.
Crime
Tiger Shroff firing case: Bishnoi gang seeking to challenge Dawood’s dominance in Mumbai, say cops

The Mumbai Crime Branch, investigating the attack on Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, has reportedly uncovered details suggesting that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was attempting to establish its dominance in Mumbai by challenging the long-standing influence and fear associated with Dawood Ibrahim and the D-Company.
According to the Mumbai Police’s investigation, the gang’s alleged objective behind its continued activities in Mumbai was to establish a one-sided dominance in the city. Police sources said the gang was seeking to create an atmosphere of fear reminiscent of the underworld’s influence in Mumbai during the 1990s.
A senior Mumbai Police official said the gang intended to recreate the kind of terror once associated with the underworld, when a single phone call could send businessmen, builders and film personalities into a state of panic.
The Crime Branch believes that establishing such dominance could enable the gang to expand its alleged extortion network and demand large sums of money from builders and members of the Bollywood industry.
Police have so far arrested 12 people in connection with the firing at Tiger Shroff’s car. During the investigation, the Crime Branch reportedly recovered several sensitive audio clips in which alleged underworld figures are mentioned.
The audio recordings are currently undergoing forensic examination as investigators attempt to establish the extent of the gang’s network and identify those allegedly involved in planning and executing criminal activities.
Investigating agencies believe that the Bishnoi gang was attempting to gain greater control over Mumbai’s criminal network by directly challenging the city’s traditional underworld syndicates.
The police have launched a crackdown as part of efforts to dismantle the alleged network and prevent further criminal activities. Investigators are also examining the recovered evidence to determine whether the firing incident was part of a broader strategy to spread fear and establish the gang’s presence in Mumbai.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
Crime
Mumbai horror: 15-year-old girl gang-raped in Powai area; 6 held

A 15-year-old minor girl was brutally gang-raped in Mumbai Powai area by six men, officials said on Saturday, adding that all accused have been arrested within 24 hours of the incident.
“Within just 24 hours of receiving the victim’s complaint, Mumbai Police teams conducted raids at various locations and apprehended all the accused,” officials said.
According to the police, the incident took place between October 27 and 28.
The main accused, along with four of his associates, lured the minor to an open, deserted plot located behind a bakery shop on Saki Vihar Road, where the accused allegedly sexually assaulted the victim, officials said in a statement.
Following the incident, the perpetrators threatened the victim, warning her that if she reported the matter to the police or her family, they would circulate her photographs on social media.
“In a separate, related incident, another accused intercepted the victim near a pipeline in Powai, where he molested and sexually harassed her,” officials said.
After facing the brutal assault, on the morning of October 29, the traumatised victim, with the help of her family, reached the Powai Police Station and recounted the ordeal, according to the officials.
“Recognising the gravity of the situation, the police immediately registered an FIR under Sections 64(1) and 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additionally, charges under Sections 4, 8, and 12 of the POCSO Act have been invoked,” police said.
According to the investigators, none of the six arrested individuals has a prior criminal record.
Meanwhile, the victim has been sent to KEM Hospital in Mumbai for a medical examination.
“A thorough investigation into the case is currently underway under the supervision of senior police personnel,” officials said.
Further details are awaited.
Maharashtra
Akhilesh Yadav is fighting to save the country and protect the Constitution: Abu Asim Azmi

Mumbai: Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has congratulated SP President Akhilesh Yadav for his struggle to protect the nation and the Constitution. He stated that Akhilesh Yadav has the capacity to save the country, and the nation’s 1.4 billion citizens should recognize his efforts. Abu Asim Azmi emphasized that a strong alliance is essential to eradicate communalism and hatred from the country. He further added that the distribution of seats within such an alliance should be based on the strength of a party’s grassroots workers and its ability to secure the highest number of votes. Highlighting the political significance of Uttar Pradesh, he remarked that the path to Delhi runs through the state; therefore, a robust alliance must be formed to secure power in Uttar Pradesh and, in turn, halt those who propagate hatred.
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