MUMBAI: Arguments broke out at the state-run JJ Hospital on Friday over the condition of NCP minister Nawab Malik, who was brought in for a routine examination following his arrest after he complained of stomach-ache.
Doctors are believed to have insisted on his admission, but the Enforcement Directorate (ED) team was not convinced, leading to an argument between the two sides. An additional team of ED officials rushed to the hospital for assistance.
JJ Hospital authorities remained tight lipped about the entire incident. However, sources have confirmed that the minister was hospitalized for a “kidney problem”.
According to sources, the minister who has been held in a money laundering case, claimed he had passed blood in his urine and was experiencing discomfort. Dean Dr Ranjit Mankeshwar couldn’t be reached for a comment to corroborate the details.
Malik has been hospitalized under the care of the urology department at JJ. Hospital
The ED officials went by the doctor’s advice to admit Malik but deployed a couple of officials along with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel to ensure that he does not interact with outsiders. “The ED officials will wait for the doctors’ report and accordingly they will decide if they need to re-assess Malik’s health with the help of medical experts from AIIMS hospital,” said an official, requesting anonymity.
The ED arrested Malik on Wednesday in a money laundering case involving a property in Kurla which he allegedly bought from Haseena Parkar, late sister of global terrorist Dawood Ibrahim. The special PMLA court has remanded Malik into ED’s custody till March 3.
According to the procedure, the ED took Malik to the state-run hospital for examination to ensure he is fit for interrogation. It was the second time that the ED took him to the hospital for a test after his arrest. According to sources, during his custodial interrogation, Malik had not cooperated and instead sought to intimidate ED officials. On Friday, they claimed Malik had no complaints, but on reaching the hospital, he started complaining of stomach pain.
The ED is investigating Malik’s links to the property deal that took place between 1999 and 2003. The ED has also registered a money laundering case against Dawood and his associates.
The ED has alleged that Malik along with Haseena Parkar acquired a portion of the Kurla property illegally. The agency has alleged that “by paying consideration for the illegally occupied share of Haseena Parkar, Nawab Malik aided the D-Company financially.”
