ED attaches assets of underworld don Bannanje Raja

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday attached assets worth Rs. 50 crores of underworld don Bananje Raja, Hajee Ameen Basha and others in connection with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for indulging in criminal activities and supplying money through 'hawala' channels for the criminal activities.

"Enforcement Directorate's investigations have revealed that the proceed of crime so acquired were laundered and projected as overseas earnings from Dubai and several properties were acquired in the name of Mr. Lawrence Paul, Mrs. Anitha Dorine Fernandes w/o Mr. Lawrence Paul, Mr. Dyani Antony Paul b/o Mr. Lawrence Paul," the agency said in a statement.

"It was also noticed that Mr. Lawrence Paul is mostly stationed in Dubai and is sending the proceeds of crime to his brother Mr. Dyani Antony Paul and acquiring various properties in their names," it added.

The attached assets also included - Rs 1.21 crores advance payment for acquiring 3 residential flats, over 18 acres of agricultural land in Mangalore Taluk, Mineral Water Plant, and various residential properties.

"It was also noticed that these properties are being projected as if procured from the business earnings of Mr. Lawrence Paul while he was only a "Manager" in the Dubai based Trading Company," the agency said.

It further said that after due investigations, the agency provisionally attached 16 such immovable properties of registered value of Rs. 9.28 Crores and an advance amount of Rs 1.21 crores paid under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

"The present Market value of the said properties is about Rs 50 Crores," the agency added.

Further investigation in the matter is underway.