Why no action against me if I have links with underworld: Nawab Malik

Nawab Malik

State Minister Nawab Malik has challenged Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis to prove his accusations of links to the underworld, and levelled some more allegations against the former chief minister and Narcotics Control Bureau Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede, who he said wore uber-expensive clothes and accessories that an honest and upright officer cannot afford.

In response to Malik's charge that he patronised the drug business, Fadnavis had announced on Monday that he would establish the NCP minister's connections with the underworld. On Tuesday, Malik said he had cautioned former CM Fadnavis about a ‘duplicate Fadnavis' roaming in Mantralaya. "I had video footage of what meeting took place at a hotel, and told Fadnavis who this ‘duplicate' Fadnavis was. If I had revealed it then the BJP leaders would have buried their faces. I have it even now but will not share it," he said.

He asked why action was not taken against him if he had links to the underworld. "As head of the state, Fadnavis was responsible for acting against the people with underworld connections." He wanted to know why the ex-CM did not stop the parties that were held regularly at a five-star hotel in Worli. "Who organised these parties that sold a table for Rs 15 lakh each and made drugs available? Why have these parties stopped after your government ceased to exist?" he asked.

Malik asked Fadnavis to apologise for making false charges. He said the BJP leader did not know that a charge sheet had already been filed against his son-in-law and no ganja-like substance was recovered from his residence. "There is no question of influencing the charge sheet by making allegations against the NCB." Talking about his resignation from the cabinet and comeback, Malik said the matter which led to him quitting had been decided by the Supreme Court in his favour. "I was not charged for corruption, but for contempt of court by the inquiry commission," he said.

Questions Wankhede's income

Questioning Wankhde's source of income that allows him to buy shirts worth Rs 50,000 each, T-shirts worth Rs 20,000 each, shoes worth Rs 2 lakh, a pair of trousers worth Rs 1 lakh and wrist watches worth Rs 20-50 lakh, Malik said the money came through extortion by the NCB zonal director through his private army. He shared a WhatsApp chat screenshot which shows Wankhede's lawyer sister in conversation with an NCB accused.

"Lady don Yasmeen Wankhede is chatting with a person arrested in a drug case. She has shared her visiting card and location. Why would the sister of the NCB officer communicate with a drug accused?" asked Malik, adding that Yasmeen was part of the extortion racket. Malik maintained that some private people involved in the drugs-on-cruise case have been tutored to give a clean chit to the NCB officers. "I still maintain that a deal of Rs 18 cr was struck between the accused and NCB officials and Wankhede's share was Rs 8 cr.ore"

Malik demanded to know why action has not been taken in the case of three containers with poppy seeds. "The containers are lying at the JNPT for 15 days. I want to know why the Department of Revenue Intelligence hasn't initiated action."

BJP demands Narco test

BJP legislator Ashish Shelar demanded a Narco test on Malik and others because the minister had fabricated things and lied on oath. "Even before Fadnavis exposes him after Diwali, Malik is scared. The bomb will definitely explode as promised," he said. Shelar said the BJP makes it absolutely clear that it is not the job of the party to give character certificates to Wankhede.

"Action must be initiated against drugs and those involved with them. BJP believes that no one should be spared. Our opposition must refrain from diverting the subject." "Action must be initiated against those in possession of drugs like charas, ganja or even herbal tobacco, irrespective of the quantity. We will not agree if action is taken depending on the quantity of drugs in possession, even if it is as little as 0.200 mg," said Shelar.

Shelar said what Malik has been revealing isn't related to the drugs-on-cruise case of Aryan Khan. "Why didn't he reveal when his son-in-law was in custody? What oath did he take in front of the Governor? Did he swear-in to hide information about the crimes and the criminals? Now the governor needs to investigate this," added the Bandra MLA. "The state government must conduct a Narco test on all. Otherwise, doubts will be raised about the other people in power," he said.

Wankhede hits back

Wankhede said a peddler named Salman had earlier tried to frame his family. "A peddler, Salman, had approached my sister who is a lawyer. But she doesn't deal with the cases under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS). Salman had tried to trap us through a middleman. He was later arrested and is in jail right now. False allegations are being levelled against me by sharing his WhatsApp chat."

Wankhede added that the middleman, who tried to trap his family, had given a false complaint earlier this year to Mumbai Police. "Nothing came out of it. After that peddlers like Salman were used to trap my family. Such attempts are still going on and the drug mafia is behind this," he added.

Inputs from Agencies