Mumbai: Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray Cabinet Nawab Malik was arrested by Enforcement Directorate.

ED has taken him for questioning on Wednesday morning in connection to a money laundering case and his alleged links with underworld gangster Dawood Ibrahim aids. 

Malik's arrest may trigger a direct political war between the ruling Maha Vikah Agadhi government and Narendra Modi led government at the Centre. Malik was vocal against BJP government at the centre and accuses the BJP led government at the centre of misusing ED, CBI to settle its political score against its opponents.

READ: https://24x7liveindia.com/ed-questions-ncp-leader-minister-nawab-malik

Even Malik has openly criticized the BJP for arresting Aryan Khan by NCB in a drug possession case. He alleged that NCB is working on behalf of the directions of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

On Wednesday morning ED officials have visited Malik’s residence at 6 am and questioned him for an hour at his residence, later ED officials have taken him to the Mumbai ED office for further questioning. Where he has been questioned for more than an hour. Afternoon officials have arrested him and will produce him before the jurisdictional court.

NCP top leader and minister in Uddhav Thackeray government, Nawab Malik alleged facing money laundering case and his links with Mumbai underworld.

ED officials have recorded his statement under the prevention of money laundering act. Nawab Malik's office has confirmed ED officials' visit to his residence and its questioning.

"Today morning the ED had come to @nawabmalikncp saheb's residence. They accompanied saheb in his vehicle to the ED office. Advocate Amir Malik, Saheb's son has accompanied saheb along with," tweeter handle of Malik office said.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has again accused the central agencies of being politically motivated. In a subtle warning to the BJP, Mr Raut also said that he is going to "expose" several officials involved in corruption "no matter what the cost".

"Nawab Malik was bringing out the truth. Whoever speaks against them (the BJP) has the CBI and ED unleashed after them. ED has taken him in the morning. Let them investigate, we hope he will be back home by evening," he said.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that "We knew Nawab Malik would be targeted in this manner when he had attacked the Centre. I don't know about the case against him but Dawood's name has always been invoked to try to defame rivals," he said.