Anil Deshmukh's arrest politically motivated, aimed at maligning MVA leaders: Nawab Malik

Nawab Malik. File pic

Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh's arrest is politically motivated and aimed at maligning the image of the state's Maha Vikas Aghadi government leaders, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said on Tuesday.

Hitting out at the Centre, Malik, a minister in the Maharashtra government, said scaring leaders by abusing power should be stopped.

"The entire action (of arresting Deshmukh) is politically motivated. It is aimed at scaring the leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance),¿ Malik told reporters.

Deshmukh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) late Monday night after over 12 hours of questioning in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged extortion racket in the state police establishment.

Meanwhile, welcoming Deshmukh's arrest, former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya said Shiv Sena minister Anil Parab will be the next to face action by a central agency.

Somaiya, who has been asked to appear before the Bombay High Court on December 23 in a Rs 100-crore defamation suit filed by Parab, said, "Now we will know where the Rs 100 crore collected by Deshmukh went."

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Somaiya had claimed that Parab, the state transport minister, carried out construction of a seaside resort in Ratnagiri district without the approval of the environment department.

Fresh attacks on Sameer Wankhede

Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik on Tuesday launched fresh attacks on Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede saying that he was extorting money from Bollywood celebrities and his sister Yasmeen Wankhede was also involved.

Addressing a press conference, Malik alleged that Wankhede claims to be an ‘honest officer' but wears branded clothes worth lakhs. "One should always notice Wankhede Burberry shirts which costs more than Rs 60,000. His watches of Patek Phillippe cost Rs 25 to 50 lakh rupees and he keeps changing the brand", he said.

"In last few days the clothes he wears are worth more than Rs 10 crore. How can an officer afford such expensive brands?" asked Malik.

Malik also alleged that NCB superintendent V V Singh has a key role to play as far as the extortion is concerned. "He was a corrupt officer and was side-lined before Wankhede joined NCB. After Wankhede's entry he was brought into operations and he plays important role in extorting money. He (V. V. Singh) told my son-in-law during questioning that he wants to buy a land cruiser car", Malik said.

With inputs from Faizan Khan