In a major relief to the NCP (Ajit Pawar) leader Praful Patel, a Mumbai Tribunal has quashed an order issued by the Enforcement Directorate seeking to attach his properties worth over Rs. 180 crore. The order was passed by an Appellate Tribunal that deals with the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators Act, or SAFEMA.
The decision pronounced by the tribunal drew flak from opposition leaders. Shiv Sena (Uddav Thackeray faction) leader Sanjay Raut said that the relief has not been given by the ED, it has been given by the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
"ED has not given relief, the BJP has given relief. The ED, CBI, and Income Tax Department are the BJP's extended branches. Its Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Amit Shah have given relief. Just like the RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal, and other associated organisations. Similarly, ED, CBI, and Income Tax are extended branches of the BJP.”
The tribunal, which deals with cases pertaining to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by an order of June 3, quashed the attachment of multiple flats owned by him on the 12th to 15th floors of Ceejay House in Worli, Mumbai, worth over Rs 180 crore, as per a News 18 report.
According to NDTV, the probe agency had alleged that the properties were acquired illegally from Hajra Memon, the widow and first wife of Iqbal Mirchi. He was a drug mafia and an accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. Mirchi died in London in 2013.
The tribunal rejected ED's attachment order and stated that the action taken by the probe agency against Patel was illegal since the properties were not involved in money laundering and were not linked to Mirchi.