Refusing to grant relief to jailed Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik who sought to be released for a day on June 20 to cast his vote in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections on June 20, the Bombay High Court has asked him to file a fresh petition.
Malik was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on February 23 this year in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the activities of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his aides. His party colleague Deshmukh was arrested in November 2021 by the ED on money laundering charges.
The court indicated that it was not inclined to allow the amendment and sought to know from Malik's lawyers if they wish to withdraw the petition and file a fresh plea.
While Maharashtra cabinet minister Nawab Malik will file a new petition to vote in the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) polls, former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh's petition will be heard on June 15.