The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday launched multiple searches in Gujarat as part of a money laundering investigation linked to alleged financial irregularities in certain Waqf properties in the state.
Sources said that a case has been filed by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) taking cognisance of a Ahmedabad Police FIR. The FIR was filed against Salim Khan Jumma Khan Pathan, Mohammad Yasar Abdulhamiya Sheikh, Mehmud Khan Jumma Khan Pathan, Fezmohamad Pir Mohammad Chobdar, and Saheed Ahmad Yakubhai Sheikh.
The ED teams raided nine premises of the accused and their associates throughout the day. They had “illegally” claimed to be trustees of the Kanch Ki Masjid Trust and Shah Bada Kasam Trust, sources said.
The accused are believed to have entered into “fraud” lease agreements, extorted rents from tenants, and submitted false affidavits to the Waqf Board. Sources said that the fraud runs into Rs 100 crore.
The ED is suspecting that the accused built shops on Trust’s land and collected rent and committed “fraud and conspiracy” against the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Waqf Board for personal gains.
The recently introduced Waqf Amendment Act by the Centre aims to bring about transparency in Waqf operations and transactions.
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