After Wankhede, Nawab Malik targets Fadnavis over ‘drug dealer link’

Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik has made a series of 'exposés' on Twitter over the past week targeted at NCB officer Sameer Wankhede. Malik had alleged Wankhede was involved in extortion and had forged a caste certificate to clear the civil services examination.

On Monday, Malik took aim at an even bigger target: Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Malik claimed that Devendra Fadnavis had links to Jaydeep Rana, an individual who is currently in jail in connection with a drug trafficking case.

Malik had shared a cropped image of Rana on Twitter, asking, "Who is this". He then tweeted a larger version of the image showing Rana with Amruta Fadnavis, the wife of Devendra. Malik asked, "What is the connection of this drug peddler with BJP?"

Malik also shared an image of Rana with Devendra Fadnavis.

Malik alleged that Rana had financed the creation of the Mumbai River Anthem, a song featuring Devendra and Amruta that was released in 2018. Malik posted an image of the song's description that listed a Jaydeep Rana as "finance head". Malik was quoted by The Free Press Journal as saying "the drug business in the state grew under his (Devendra Fadnavis's) tenure".

Malik demanded a CBI probe or judicial inquiry into the matter.

Malik alleged Devendra Fadnavis had orchestrated the transfer of Wankhede to the NCB. He was quoted by India TV as saying "Sameer Wankhede is the kingpin who is running a drug racket in Mumbai... He was appointed by (Devendra) Fadnavis."

Devendra Fadnavis responded strongly to Malik. He told a press conference Malik had links to the underworld. "Those who have relations with the underworld should not speak about me. I will present evidence of Nawab Malik's relations with the underworld. I am waiting for Diwali to pass," Fadnavis was quoted by ANI as saying.