ED attaches Rs 50 crore assets of Karnataka don, aides

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets valued at Rs 50 crore of Karnataka's mafia don Bannanje Raja and his associates Hajee Ameen Basha and 10 others, an official said on Saturday.

"In all, 16 immovable properties of Raja, Basha and 10 others, with a combined market value of Rs 50 crore, have been attached after an inquiry into cases of money laundering, extortion and supply of money through hawala channels for criminal activities," the official said.

The assets were attached on the basis of a chargesheet the state police filed on June 14, 2014 against Raja, Basha and 10 co-accused for indulging in underworld activities, involving life threats, extortion and murder under the Indian Penal Code and the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act, 2000.

"A supplementary chargesheet was filed on May 16, 2016 against Basha and three others," the ED said in a statement.

Raja was brought to Bengaluru on August 14, 2015 from Morocco's Casablanca by a six-member crime branch team for trial in about 50 criminal cases, including extortion.

Raja, alias Rajendra, who hails from Malpe in Udupi on the state's coast, was arrested by Interpol and Moroccan police on February 12 on a tip-off by Indian sleuths, as a red corner notice was served on him in 2009 by the state to all countries through the union home ministry.

Further investigations by the ED revealed that the accused had acquired the properties in the name of Dubai-based Lawrence Paul, his wife Anitha Dorine Fernandes and his brother Antony Paul.

"The properties included Rs 1.21 crore advance paid for acquiring three residential flats, 18 acres of agricultural land in Mangaluru taluk, a mineral water plant and other residential properties," the statement said.

"Further investigation is in progress," it added.

--IANS

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