The competent authority decides on cases filed within the framework of SAFEMA and NDPS. (Representative)
New Delhi:
Three properties of gangster Iqbal Mirchi in Mumbai, valued at around Rs 500 crore, have been “confiscated” under provisions of two central laws against smugglers, currency manipulators and narcotic agents, the police said on Wednesday. Directorate of Law Enforcement.
He said the named real estate assets –Rabia Mansion, Mariam Lodge and Sea View – are located in the Worli region of the capital of Maharashtra.
Mirchi is said to have been the right hand of global terrorist Dawood Ibrahim in drug trafficking and extortion rackets.
The property seizure order was issued by the competent authority for SAFEMA (Smugglers and Currency Manipulators Act) and NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) on November 9 based on “evidence gathered” against Mirchi and its associates by ED.
The competent authority decides on cases filed within the framework of SAFEMA and NDPS.
“In accordance with the order, all transfers and transactions relating to these properties have been declared null and void.
“The value of these properties is around Rs 500 crore, as confirmed by the ED during the investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA),” the central agency said. investigation in a press release.
The ED had filed a money laundering complaint against Mirchi, who died in London in 2013, her family and others last year after investigating several Mumbai Police FIRs filed against them.
These properties were also seized by the ED under the anti-money laundering law.
The agency alleged that Mirchi “indirectly owned various properties in and around Mumbai”.
She had brought a criminal case against Mirchi and her relatives to investigate the money laundering charges linked to their alleged illegal transactions in the buying and selling of expensive real estate assets in Mumbai.
The ED said the assets were released from foreclosure in 2005 after Mirchi, in “connivance” with Sir Mohammed Yusuf Trust, “distorted” the facts in court.
“Mirchi and the Trust have misrepresented the ownership of these buildings before the Competent Authority (SAFEMA / NDPS Act), the Additional CMM Court (Chief Metropolitan Magistrate) and the CMM.”
“The properties were falsely claimed by a trust before these authorities on the pretext that Iqbal Mirchi had not made full payment and therefore he did not hand over possession of these properties to Iqbal Mirchi,” said the ED.
On the basis of this plea, she said, these properties were released from foreclosure.
The ED, on November 6 last year, informed the competent authority of the correct factual position and shared “definitive and undeniable evidence” of the ownership of these properties by Iqbal Mirchi, he said. .
The agency gathered the evidence during the raids in the case last year.
“The proof includes complete payment receipts issued by the trust with the corresponding entry in the bank book, a letter issued by the trust regarding the handing over of possession to Iqbal Mirchi, submissions to the income tax department admitting the sale of these properties, among others, “It said.
The ED said the competent authority, after considering the latest observations in the case it brought, observed that the 2005 order was obtained “by fraud, deliberate suppression of documentary evidence and facts. “and therefore was not the eyes of the law.
“The competent authority further observed that the trust was concealing vital evidence and facts regarding the ownership of these properties and had misled the additional CMM tribunal and CMM as well.”
“Thus, the order (releasing the attachment) dated August 31, 2004 from the additional CMM and the order of March 4, 2005 from the CMM were obtained by fraud,” he said.
The agency, as part of its PMLA investigation, has attached assets worth around Rs 798 crore in the case so far and also filed a complaint with a special PMLA court in Mumbai in December. from last year.
The court subsequently issued unlimited non-bailable warrants against Mirchi’s sons, Asif Memon and Junaid Memon, and his wife Hajra Memon. They would be based abroad.
