ED Raids Premises Of Atiq Ahmed’s Aids, Seizes Cash, Documents

In fresh raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate, documents related to sale and purchase of properties, cash worth Rs 17.80 lakh and some other material was seized from some “renowned” builders, CAs and others linked to slain gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed. This was stated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday.

According to the official statement by the agency, these raids were conducted on 14 and 15 June at 10 premises in Prayagraj, Lucknow and Delhi. 

The action resulted in the seizure of 17.80 lakh cash, documents related to the sale and purchase of properties, financial documents of companies, bank statements, mobile phones, and laptops, it said. It also covered a number of aides and associates of the deceased Atiq Ahmed, including “renowned” builders and chartered accountants.

Physical and forensic analysis of seized evidence is currently underway, the agency said.

An investigation into charges of kidnapping, extortion, and violence against the mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his men by the CBI led to the money laundering case against Ahmed and his associates. Ahmed was a history sheeter was involved in numerous heinous crimes. A total of 100 FIRs were filed against him in various police stations for offences like murder, extortion, and land grabbing.

According to the ED, “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).” 

It may be noted that the agency had first conducted searches in this case on 12 and 13 April, seizing Rs 84.68 lakh cash, gold bars worth Rs 60 lakh, gold and diamond jewellery of Rs 2.85 crore, digital devices and various physical documents and records. 

It can be recalled that Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists on 15 April in Prayagraj district of UP, when they were being escorted by the police for a medical checkup.