Did the ED Seize 6 Properties Worth Rs 4.18 Crore Linked to Slain Gangster Mukhtar Ansari?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- ED's action highlights efforts against money laundering.
- Properties seized include residential and agricultural lands.
- Investigation reveals significant financial discrepancies.
- The case involves high-profile individuals connected to organized crime.
- Ongoing investigations aim to dismantle criminal networks.
New Delhi, July 15 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has placed a provisional attachment on six immovable properties valued at Rs 4.18 crore across Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in connection with money laundering investigations tied to a company managed by Atul Rai, a former MP, and Jitender Sapra, both associates of Mukhtar Ansari, as reported by an official source on Tuesday.
The Allahabad Sub-Zonal office of the ED issued the Provisional Attachment Order on the six properties owned by Spectrum Infraservices as part of its ongoing investigation into money laundering linked to a construction firm associated with the deceased gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari.
The attached properties include a residential apartment in New Delhi, three residential plots in Varanasi, and two agricultural lands in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh.
The ED's investigation commenced following an FIR filed at Dakshin Tola Police Station, Mau. A review of the FIR indicated that Vikas Construction in Ghazipur had unlawfully occupied government land in Raini Village, Mau, constructing a godown without authorization. Another godown was similarly erected in Ghazipur and leased to the Food Corporation of India (FCI), generating Proceeds of Crime (POC) by illegally using government land and collecting rent from the FCI, as detailed in an ED statement.
The total rent accrued reached Rs 15.31 crore. Additional proceeds included Rs 2.25 crore acquired as a subsidy for godown construction from Nabard, Rs 3.10 crore wrongfully taken from former partners of Vikas Construction, and Rs 7.05 crore received by Atif Raza as handling and transportation fees from the FCI. Altogether, these transactions represent POC amounting to Rs 27.72 crore.
The investigation revealed that Vikas Construction was influenced by the late Mukhtar Ansari, with close relatives and aides, including Atif Raza, who held a 15% stake in the firm.
According to police records regarding Ansari, a total of 49 criminal cases related to murder, extortion, and land grabbing were filed against him across various police stations.
The ED's investigations suggested that approximately Rs 8.49 crore generated from Vikas Construction was deposited into bank accounts of Aaghaz Project and Engineering and Inizio Network Solution—both companies owned by the late Mukhtar Ansari and his affiliates.
These funds were funneled through business accounts under the guise of routine expenses to integrate illicit funds into the formal banking system, effectively concealing their origins. The amounts were then transferred to the accounts of Kusumvision Infra Private Limited, Spectrum Infraservices Private Limited, and Kusum Constructions and Telecom Services—companies managed by Atul Rai—as part of a business transaction structure that has now been confirmed as a layering process.
Furthermore, Rs 1 crore in POC was transferred to the bank accounts of Jitender Sapra and his family members from Vikas Construction, Atif Raza (the accused), Aaghaz Project and Engineering Pvt Ltd, and Inizio Network Solution Pvt Ltd.
This money was subsequently utilized for the acquisition of the immovable properties that have now been seized. So far, the total attachment in this case amounts to Rs 6.40 crore, as stated by the ED.