Prima facie, there are reasonable grounds to believe that allegations against Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik are "well-founded", observed a special court here while remanding him in the custody of the ED in connection with a money laundering case. Special judge R N Rokade, designated to hear matters related to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), also said that sufficient time is required to be granted for the investigation of the offence and Malik's custodial interrogation was necessary.

The court on Wednesday remanded Malik, a senior NCP leader, in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate till March 3. Its detailed order was made available on Friday. Malik was arrested by the ED on Wednesday in a money laundering probe linked to the activities of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his aides. The court, in its order, said it appears from the report that accused has not cooperated with the investigation on the crucial aspect. "Prima facie, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the accusations are well-founded under PMLA,"the judge observed.