3 buildings worth Rs 500 crore forfeited in Iqbal Mirchi case, says ED

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday forfeited three buildings – Rabia Mansion, Mariam Lodge and Sea View (all situated at Worli, Mumbai) – in the Iqbal Mirchi case.

“The investigation conducted by ED revealed that, in 2005 Iqbal Mirchi, in connivance with Sir Mohamed Yusuf Trust, misrepresented about the ownership of these buildings before the Competent Authority (SAFEMA/NDPS Act),” the ED said in a press release.

“Relying on the evidence shared by Enforcement Directorate, Competent Authority (SAFEMA/NDPS Act) has forfeited three buildings — Rabia Mansion, Mariam Lodge & Sea View, all situated at Worli, Mumbai. The value of the properties is approximately Rs 500 Crores,” the agency added.

Investigation conducted by ED revealed tha Iqbal Mirchi, in connivance with Mohamed Yusuf Trust, misrepresented about the ownership of these buildings before the Competent Authority (SAFEMA/NDPS Act). The properties were falsely claimed by a trust before these authorities on the pretext that Iqbal Mirchi had not made complete payment and consequently it did not hand over possession of these properties to Iqbal Mirchi. On the basis of this plea, these properties were earlier released from attachment under NDPS Act in the year 2005.

On November 6, 2019, ED informed the correct factual position to the Competent Authority and shared definite and undeniable evidence of ownership of these properties by Iqbal Mirchi. These evidence were gathered by ED during course of search proceedings under PMLA. The evidence include complete payment receipts issued by the trust along with the corresponding entry in the bank passbook, letter issued by trust regarding handing over the possession to Iqbal Memon, submissions to Income tax admitting sale of these properties, etc.

The properties have also been attached by ED under PMLA and the total attachment in this case has reached Rs 798 Crore (Approx). On the basis of Prosecution Complaint dated December 2019 filed by ED before the Special PMLA Court, Open Ended Non Bailable Warrants have been issued against Asif Memon, Junaid Memon (both sons of Iqbal Mirchi) and Hajra Memon (wife of Iqbal Memon). Till now, five persons have been arrested in this case.