ED Raids Gangster Atiq Ahmad’s Aides, Seizes Cash & Property Documents

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 17th June. Documents related to sale and purchase of properties, ₹ 17.80 lakh worth cash and some other materials were seized after fresh raids this week against some “renowned” builders, CAs and others linked to slain gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Saturday.

The searches were carried out on June 14-15 at 10 premises in Prayagraj, Lucknow and Delhi, the agency said in a statement.

Various aides and associates of late Atiq Ahmed including “renowned” builders and chartered accountants were covered during the action which led to the seizure of ₹ 17.80 lakh cash, documents related to sale and purchase of properties, financial documents of companies, bank statements, mobile phones and laptops, it said.

Physical and forensic analysis of seized evidence are ongoing, the agency said.

The money laundering case against Ahmed and his aides stems from a CBI FIR filed on the directions of the Supreme Court to probe allegations of kidnapping, extortion and assault against the mafia-turned-politician and his men. “Atiq Ahmed was a history-sheeter and ran a mafia gang that was involved in various crimes of serious nature for a long time. Around 100 FIRs of crimes related to murder, extortion, land grabbing etc. were lodged against him in various police stations.

“It was found during probe that by indulging in criminal activities since 1989 and by usurping government and other people’s land properties, Atiq Ahmed amassed huge property in his name and that of his family members and also in the name of his associates and other benamidars (in whose name a benami property is standing),” the ED said.

The ED had first conducted searches in this case on April 12-13 leading to seizure of ₹ 84.68 lakh cash, gold bars worth ₹ 60 lakh, gold and diamond jewellery of ₹ 2.85 crore, digital devices and various physical documents and records. Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists on April 15 when police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup. PTI