ED attaches Rs 600-cr worth assets of Iqbal Mirchi family

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said it has attached assets with a market value of Rs 600 crore in connection with its money laundering probe in the gangster Iqbal Mirchi money laundering probe case.

These properties include the 3rd and 4th floors of CEEJAY House in Mumbai's Worli area, an office premise at Arun Chambers, Tardeo in Mumbai, three flats in Sahil bungalow at Worli, three prime commercial shops in Crawford Market and bungalows and land (more than 5 acres) in Lonavala, the agency said in a statement.

The federal probe agency said it has issued two provisional orders under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to execute the attachment of properties that have a market value of about Rs 600 crore.

These properties were acquired by Mirchi in the "name of his family members and relatives", the ED alleged.

The agency had recently filed a charge sheet in this case before a special court in Mumbai.

Mirchi, who died in 2013 in London, was alleged to be the right hand man of global terrorist Dawood Ibrahim in drug trafficking and extortion crimes.

"He (Mirchi) was an international drugs dealer and smuggler who had amassed huge wealth and acquired various immovable properties and businesses across the globe," the ED said.

The agency alleged Mirchi "indirectly owned various properties in and around Mumbai."
"Though payment of only Rs 20,000 was made in 1986, the possession of the property was taken by Mirchi in 1986 itself and he started running a discotheque by the name of Fisherman's Wharf."