ED files FIR after trespass bid on Thane flat attached in Iqbal Kaskar extortion case
Synopsis
The ED has hit back after unknown persons broke into a Thane flat attached in the Iqbal Kaskar extortion case — brother of fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim — by filing an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and restoring possession with court backing. The move underscores the agency's determination to defend PMLA-attached assets against attempts at circumvention.
Key Takeaways
The ED filed an FIR on 15 October 2026 at Kasarvadavali Police Station, Thane after trespassers broke into an attached flat.
405 in Thane (West) — was provisionally attached on 8 April 2022 in a money laundering case against Iqbal Ibrahim Kaskar , younger brother of fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim .
Attachment was confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority on 29 September 2022 ; ED took physical possession on 17 December 2024 .
Trespassers reportedly broke the lock and removed the ED's official possession notice from the premises.
The Special PMLA Court directed the ED to restore possession; the lock was changed with police present and a fresh notice affixed.
FIR registered under Sections 329(4) and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 .
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has lodged an FIR after unknown miscreants broke into and attempted to occupy a Thane flat attached in connection with an extortion case against Iqbal Ibrahim Kaskar, the younger brother of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, officials said on Friday, 23 October 2026. The agency has described the move as a 'deterrent action' to protect properties under its lawful custody.
Background: How the Flat Came to Be Attached
Flat No. 405, located in Thane (West), was provisionally attached by the ED on 8 April 2022 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, during a money laundering investigation linked to extortion allegations against Iqbal Kaskar and associates — including Mumtaz Azaz Sheikh alias Raju and Israr Ali Jamil Saiyad. The flat had originally been registered in the name of Mumtaz Azaz Sheikh on 29 May, reportedly pursuant to threats and extortion demands in which properties were sought to be registered in favour of the accused persons.
The provisional attachment was subsequently confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority under Section 8(3) of the PMLA vide order dated 29 September 2022. Physical possession of the flat was formally taken by the ED on 17 December 2024 under Section 8(4) of the PMLA.
The Trespass Incident
It came to the ED's notice that certain individuals had entered the attached property, broken the lock, and removed the agency's official possession notice. The agency conducted immediate inspections and took steps to restore its lawful custody. The matter was also placed before the Special PMLA Court, which directed the ED to restore possession of the flat with police assistance if necessary.
In compliance with the court's directions, the lock of the flat was changed in the presence of police personnel and independent witnesses, and possession was formally restored. A fresh notice was affixed on the premises, clearly informing any aggrieved person to approach either the ED office or the court handling the trial.
FIR Filed Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
The FIR was lodged on 15 October at Kasarvadavali Police Station in Thane under Sections 329(4) and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The agency stated that the FIR was registered 'so that the matter is investigated and trespassers are punished.' The original PMLA investigation itself was initiated on the basis of an earlier FIR registered at the same police station concerning extortion allegations against Iqbal Kaskar and others.
The Dawood Ibrahim Connection
Iqbal Kaskar is the younger brother of Dawood Ibrahim, India's most-wanted fugitive, who is suspected to be in Pakistan. Iqbal has faced multiple cases linked to the alleged criminal network associated with Dawood's syndicate. The ED's continued enforcement action over attached assets in this case signals the agency's intent to prevent any circumvention of PMLA attachment orders — a concern that has arisen in several high-profile organised crime investigations. This is the latest in a series of asset-attachment and enforcement actions taken by the ED in cases involving accused individuals associated with organised crime networks.
As the case proceeds before the Special PMLA Court, investigators are now expected to identify and prosecute those responsible for the trespass.
Point of View
Backed by a PMLA court order and a formal FIR, is the right procedural step, but the fact that someone was emboldened enough to break a lock and remove an official notice from attached premises raises uncomfortable questions about ground-level enforcement. If attached properties are vulnerable to physical occupation between the time of attachment and final disposal, the agency's asset-recovery architecture has a visible gap. The Kaskar case also serves as a reminder that Dawood Ibrahim's shadow over Mumbai's underworld continues to manifest in active legal proceedings, well over two decades after his flight from India.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the ED file an FIR over the Thane flat?
The ED filed an FIR on 15 October after unknown persons broke into a Thane flat lawfully attached by the agency in a PMLA case against Iqbal Kaskar, broke the lock, and removed the official possession notice. The FIR was lodged at Kasarvadavali Police Station under Sections 329(4) and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, to ensure the trespassers are identified and prosecuted.
Who is Iqbal Ibrahim Kaskar and what is his connection to Dawood Ibrahim?
Iqbal Ibrahim Kaskar is the younger brother of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, who is suspected to be in Pakistan. Iqbal faces allegations of extortion and money laundering, and the ED has attached assets linked to him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
When was the Thane flat originally attached by the ED?
The flat was provisionally attached by the ED on 8 April 2022 during a money laundering investigation into extortion allegations against Iqbal Kaskar and associates. The attachment was confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority on 29 September 2022, and the ED took physical possession on 17 December 2024.
What did the Special PMLA Court order in this matter?
The Special PMLA Court directed the ED to restore possession of the trespassed flat, with police assistance if necessary. In compliance, the ED changed the lock in the presence of police personnel and witnesses, and affixed a fresh possession notice on the premises.
What is the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and how does it apply here?
The PMLA, 2002 is India's primary law to combat money laundering and allows the ED to provisionally attach assets believed to be proceeds of crime. In this case, the Thane flat was attached under PMLA as an asset allegedly obtained through extortion linked to Iqbal Kaskar and his associates.
