Supreme Court extends NCP leader Nawab Malik’s interim bail on medical grounds for six months

Today (January 11, 2024), the Supreme Court (SC) heard a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by former Maharashtra Minister and National Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik against the order of the Bombay High Court declining his interim bail on medical grounds. Justice Bela M. Trivedi and Justice Pankaj Mithal were hearing the petition. The bench extended the interim bail to Nawab Malik for six months after ensuring that Additional Solicitor General SV Raju (appearing for the Enforcement Directorate) had no objection to the same. ASG said, “This request may be considered and on medical grounds, an extension may be given.” After hearing the matter, the SC said, “...Learned additional solicitor-general has no objection. The interim prayers granted and application is allowed. Interim bail is extended for a further period of six months as prayed for. List the main matter after six months.” 

Nawal Malik was arrested by the ED in a money laundering case on February 23, 2022. On August 11, 2023, the SC granted temporary bail for two months to the NCP leader on medical grounds. Further, the SC extended the relief on October 12, 2023. Earlier, in July last year, the High Court rejected the bail plea of Malik on medical grounds. NCP leader Malik sought bail from HC stating that he was suffering from a chronic kidney disease whereas the HC rejected the bail plea stating that there was no compelling reason to grant interim medical bail. Aggrieved by the decision of the HC, Nawab Malik approached the SC. The SC bench today extended him interim bail on medical grounds for six months.