ED attaches Rs600-cr assets of Mirchi family

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Dawood right hand

Iqbal Mirchi, who died in 2013 in London, was alleged to be global terrorist Dawood Ibrahim’s right hand man in drug trafficking and extortion crimes

New Delhi, December 11

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said it had attached assets with a market value of Rs 600 crore in connection with its money laundering probe in the gangster Iqbal Mirchi money laundering probe case.

These properties include the 3rd and 4th floors of CEEJAY House in Mumbai’s Worli area, an office premise at Arun Chambers, Tardeo in Mumbai, three flats in Sahil bungalow at Worli, three prime commercial shops in Crawford Market and bungalows and land (more than 5 acres) in Lonavala, the agency said in a statement.

The federal probe agency said it has issued two provisional orders under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to execute the attachment of properties that have a market value of about Rs 600 crore.

These properties were acquired by Mirchi in the “name of his family members and relatives”, the ED alleged. The agency had recently filed a charge sheet in this case before a special court in Mumbai.

“His family is owning 14,000 sq ft area of 3rd and 4th floor of CEEJAY House, a 15-floor prime commercial property in Worli, Mumbai. This property was re-developed by Millennium Developer Pvt Limited,” it said.

Investigations also revealed that a certain part of plot was earlier in possession of one MK Mohammed. Mirchi entered into an agreement with Mohammed for acquiring the rights in the property in the name of his wife Hajra Memon for Rs 9 lakh and the agreement was executed in 1986, the ED said.

“Though payment of only Rs 20,000 was made in 1986, the possession of the property was taken by Mirchi in 1986 itself and he started running a discotheque by the name of Fisherman’s Wharf.” “Later at the time of re-development, Mirchi was given 14,000 sq ft on 3rd and 4th CEEJAY House in Worli in the name of his wife Hajra Memon and sons. Three flats in one more prime property, namely Sahil bungalow were also acquired by Mirchi in the name of his relatives during the same period,” it said.

In order to hide the criminal origin of the funds, the ED charged, to acquire the properties Mirchi purchased one flat each in the name of his wife, sister Zaibunnisa Mohd Memon and brother Aslam Merchant.

“The intentions became clear when Aslam Merchant gifted his and Zaibunnisaa Memon’s (as her heir) share in the property to his wife Hajra Memon and son Junaid Memon. The entire property is in possession of the family of Iqbal Memon (Mirchi),” it said. It added that this property was purchased by Mirchi from one Iqbal Doodhwala. PTI