On June 14 and June 15, 2023, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) searched 10 locations in Prayagraj, Lucknow, and New Delhi that belonged to different aides and cronies of Late Atiq Ahmad (EX MP/MLA and Mafia), including renowned builders and Chartered Accountants.
The aforementioned search action led to the recovery and seizure of cash totalling Rs. 17.80 lakh, papers pertaining to the sale or purchase of properties, company/firm financial documents, bank statements, mobile phones, laptops, and other physical and electronic evidence to prove the offence of money laundering under Section 3 of the PMLA, 2002. The examination of the confiscated evidence physically and forensically is underway.
In accordance with the Prevention Money Laundering Act of 2002, ED opened an investigation against Atiq Ahmad and his associates based on a crime report filed by the CBI at the request of the Hon. Supreme Court, which included allegations of kidnapping, extortion, and assault against Atiq Ahmed and his men. Atiq Ahmad is a history teacher (H.S. No. 39A) who also heads a mafia organisation that has long been involved in significant crimes of all kinds.
It was discovered that he was the subject of almost 100 FIRs for crimes including murder, extortion, land grabbing, etc. in several police stations. During the investigations, it was discovered that Atiq Ahmad had acquired the enormous property in his name, the names of his family members, his accomplices, and the names of other benamidars by engaging in criminal activity since 1989 and usurping government and other people’s land properties.
It is important to note that searches under section 17(1) of the PMLA were also carried out on April 12, 2023, and April 13, 2023, at the residences of several of Atiq Ahmad’s close associates. As a result, cash valued at Rs. 84.68 lakh, a gold bar worth Rs. 60 lakh, diamond and gold jewellery valued at Rs. 2.85 crore, digital devices, and various physical documents/records were recovered and seized. The probe is being expanded upon.
