ED to attach Tahir’s properties in case of money laundering
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will soon initiate the process of attaching properties belonging to suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain as part of its money-laundering probe against him.
According to sources, sleuths of the Central probe agency have already started the process of identifying his movable and immovable assets that will be attached under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the end of this week.
“The Enforcement Directorate will also seek custody of Tahir Hussain from the competent court for his custodial interrogation”, sources said adding that the agency is also preparing to question at least five close associates of Hussain in connection with the case.
Hussain’s purported links with the Islamist group Popular Front of India (PFI) are being investigated over the alleged funding of the recent riots in Delhi. A criminal case against Hussain, facing charges of killing an Intelligence Bureau official during the riots in northeast Delhi last month, has been filed under the PMLA by the ED.
Similar charges have also been pressed against the PFI which is already facing a separate PMLA
Tahir Hussain
probe. Hussain is in the custody of Delhi Police at present.
The ED has taken cognisance of a clutch of FIRs filed by Delhi Police Crime Branch to probe the alleged money laundering and routing of illegal funds by Hussain, Popular Front of India and others to purportedly sponsor the communal riots that killed over 50 people.
The police had charged him with murder, rioting and arson. Hussain’s brother was also arrested in connection with the clashes.
The first information report (FIR) of Delhi Police against Tahir Hussain followed multiple videos that emerged online showing people on the roof of a building reportedly throwing stones and petrol bombs on police and other protestors.
The building allegedly belongs to Hussain. In one of those videos, Hussain was purportedly seen carrying a stick.