IN UP, GANGSTERS’ PROPERTIES WORTH ₹ 979 CR SEIZED IN LAST 14 MONTHS

LUCKNOW : Continuing with the crackdown on criminals, the state government and police have either seized or demolished properties worth ₹ 979.34 crore of Mafiosi and gangsters under different legal provisions since January 2020, said senior state home department officials as per the data collected till March 6, 2021.

Of the total properties, over 52 percent worth ₹515.1 crore are related to four, including Mafioso- turned-former MP Atiq Ahmad, Mafioso-turnedMLA Mukhtar Ansari, gangster-turned-MLA Vijay Mishra and gangster Khan Mubarak.

A senior state police official said the properties worth ₹243 crore of Atiq Ahmad and his gang members, properties worth ₹200 crore of Mukhtar Ansari and his aides, properties worth ₹ 55.67 crore of Vijay Mishra and properties worth ₹16.34 crore of Khan Mubarak were seized in the last 14 months.

While Atiq Ahmad is currently lodged in Sabarmati central jail, Gujarat, Mukhtar Ansari is in Punjab’s Ropar jail. Similarly, Vijay Mishra is lodged in Naini central jail, Prayagraj while Khan Mubarak is lodged in Hardoi jail.

He said other dreaded gangsters whose properties were either seized or razed in the state included Sunder Bhati, Anil Dujana and Badan Singh Baddo.

The official said the seizures of illegal properties procured and demolition of illegal construction on public properties were being done under the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act.

Sharing further details, a state home department said properties worth around ₹834.73 crore under these provisions were seized or demolished between January and December 2020 while properties worth ₹144.61 crore were seized or demolished between January 1 and March 6, 2021.

Meanwhile, the state police gunned down as many as 135 criminals of different gangs in its crackdown on criminals between March 20, 2017 and March 9, 2021.