Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) – The Commune https://thecommunemag.com Mainstreaming Alternate Fri, 21 Mar 2025 07:14:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://thecommunemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cropped-TC_SF-1-32x32.jpg Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) – The Commune https://thecommunemag.com 32 32 ED Arrests SDPI Member Wahidur Rahman In Mettupalayam Under PMLA Act https://thecommunemag.com/ed-arrests-sdpi-member-wahidur-rahman-in-mettupalayam-under-pmla-act/ Fri, 21 Mar 2025 07:14:28 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=110760 The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Wahidur Rahman, a 28-year-old member of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), in Mettupalayam on 20 March 2025 and took him to New Delhi for further investigation. According to reports, ED officials began searching Rahman’s residence at around 12:15 PM, with the search continuing until 6:00 PM. During the […]

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Wahidur Rahman, a 28-year-old member of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), in Mettupalayam on 20 March 2025 and took him to New Delhi for further investigation.

According to reports, ED officials began searching Rahman’s residence at around 12:15 PM, with the search continuing until 6:00 PM. During the search, several documents were seized, and Rahman was subsequently arrested. He was then flown to New Delhi that night for further questioning.

As the ED operation was underway, SDPI leaders and supporters gathered outside Rahman’s house, protesting against the central government and raising slogans. It is noteworthy that Rahman had previously been arrested in 2022 for throwing a petrol bomb at a building after the government banned the Popular Front of India (PFI), but he was released on conditional bail.

Backdrop

This arrest comes under the backdrop of Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducting multiple searches across states since 20 March 2025, as part of its money laundering investigation against the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political wing of the banned terrorist organization Popular Front of India (PFI).

Raids were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at various locations, including Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, Arcot, and Vellore in Tamil Nadu; Bhilwara and Kota in Rajasthan; Kolkata in West Bengal; and Kottayam and Palakkad districts in Kerala.

In Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, the ED searched two locations, one of which was linked to an SDPI party member, following suspicions of large-scale money laundering. One of the individuals under scrutiny was Rajik, a resident of Annaji Rao Road Extension in Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, who operates an iron shop and serves as the Coimbatore North District Secretary of SDPI. ED officials, assisted by CRPF personnel, are currently conducting searches at his residence. Similarly, the agency is investigating the residence of Reela, who owns a fruit shop near the Mettupalayam bus stand.

These raids follow the recent arrest of SDPI president Moideen Kutty K, also known as MK Faizy, on 3 March at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Authorities claim that SDPI continues to advance the ideology of the banned PFI and receives funding from it.

SDPI – A Front For PFI?

The central government banned PFI and eight associated organizations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on 28 September 2022, citing concerns over radicalization and terror financing. The crackdown, led by the ED and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), resulted in multiple arrests and the seizure of alleged incriminating materials. The government claimed that PFI, with a significant presence in Kerala, was involved in activities that posed a threat to national security.

Founded in 2009 and registered as a political party with the Election Commission of India, SDPI has been accused by the ED of functioning as a front for PFI. The agency alleges that SDPI was both funded and controlled by PFI, with a strong interconnection between the two organizations. ED claims that PFI played a direct role in SDPI’s operations, including policymaking, election campaigns, public outreach, and mobilizing cadres.

According to the ED, SDPI served as a cover for PFI’s alleged anti-national activities while outwardly presenting itself as a social welfare organization. The investigation is ongoing, with officials examining financial links and organizational overlaps between SDPI and PFI.

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ED To Summon KT Rama Rao And Officials In ‘Formula-E’ Money Laundering Case; ACB Continues Probe https://thecommunemag.com/ed-to-summon-k-t-rama-rao-and-officials-in-formula-e-money-laundering-case-acb-continues-probe/ Sat, 21 Dec 2024 10:49:22 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=101621 The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is likely to summon former Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao and two officials next week for questioning in the alleged money laundering case in connection with the Formula-E race even as the Anti-Corruption Bureau continued its probe. The central probe agency on 20 December registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) […]

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is likely to summon former Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao and two officials next week for questioning in the alleged money laundering case in connection with the Formula-E race even as the Anti-Corruption Bureau continued its probe.

The central probe agency on 20 December registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against K.T. Rama Rao, senior IAS officer Arvind Kumar, and former Chief Engineer of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) B.L.N. Reddy. They are likely to be issued notices after Monday to appear before the ED officials for questioning in the case.

Rama Rao, the working president of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and two officials were already booked by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on December 19 under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The First Information Report (FIR) was registered following allegations of financial irregularities during the Formula E-race held in Hyderabad early last year when BRS was in power.

There have been allegations that about ₹55 crore from HMDA was transferred to London-based Formula E Operations (FEO) without approvals from regulatory authorities. Acting swiftly after ACB registered an FIR, the ED on 20 December morning sought a copy of the FIR and other related documents from the anti-graft agency. By evening, an ECIR was registered by the central agency based on the ACB’s FIR. The ED is probing the allegations of violations of PMLA and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) in transferring money to a foreign entity. The agency is likely to proceed in the case after recording statements of KTR, Arvind Kumar, and B.L.N. Reddy.

The ED case will focus on the transfer of money from HMDA to FEO. In October last year, ₹45.71 crore was transferred to FEO for conducting the Formula-E race. The money was transferred in British Pounds, allegedly without approval from the Reserve Bank of India. The HMDA had not sought a tax exemption on the transfer of money in foreign currency. This reportedly put an additional burden of Rs 8.06 crore on the HMDA. The issue came to light during auditing. The central agency is likely to look into the transaction and find out who was the ultimate beneficiary of the transferred money. Meanwhile, the ACB is continuing its probe into the case. It is likely to record the statement of the then Principal Secretary Dana Kishore.

The ACB officials may also question some officials of HMDA and Municipal Administration and Urban Development. The ACB has still not summoned KTR and two other accused for questioning so far. Sources said the notices may be issued next week.

The ACB registered the FIR under Sections 13(1)(A) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with Sections 409 and 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code. It is alleged that on the direction of the then Industry Minister KTR, the HMDA transferred money to FEO in violation of RBI guidelines. The payment was reportedly made without obtaining approvals from the Cabinet or the Finance Department.

The BRS leader has denied the allegations of corruption and accused the Congress government of political vendetta. He claimed that the Formula-E race was hosted to make Telangana the hub of electric vehicles. KTR on 20 December filed a quash petition in Telangana High Court. In its interim order on the petition, the High Court barred ACB from arresting KTR till 30 December. While granting relief to KTR, the court stated that the investigation in the case may continue. It directed the state government to file its counter by 23 December. The court adjourned the hearing to 27 December 2024.

-IANS

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CBI Special Court Summons Ex-DMK Functionary Jaffer Sadiq And Dravidianist Actor-Director Ameer Sultan In Drug-Related Money Laundering Case https://thecommunemag.com/cbi-special-court-summons-ex-dmk-functionary-jaffer-sadiq-and-dravidianist-actor-director-ameer-sultan-in-drug-related-money-laundering-case/ Tue, 29 Oct 2024 15:30:10 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=94046 A Special Court for CBI cases has summoned Jaffer Sadiq, who was arrested in a narcotics smuggling case, along with Tamil actor-director Ameer Sultan and others, to appear in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to drugs on 28 October 2024. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a chargesheet on 18 September 2024 against expelled […]

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A Special Court for CBI cases has summoned Jaffer Sadiq, who was arrested in a narcotics smuggling case, along with Tamil actor-director Ameer Sultan and others, to appear in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to drugs on 28 October 2024.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a chargesheet on 18 September 2024 against expelled DMK member Jaffer Sadiq, his bestie Dravidianist actor-director Ameer, and others in a money laundering case connected to drug activities.

The chargesheet, submitted to the Principal Sessions Court, named 12 individuals, including Sadiq’s wife and brother. The court has yet to register the chargesheet officially.

This development comes shortly after ED’s Chennai office provisionally seized assets worth ₹55.30 crore belonging to Sadiq and his associates under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The ED’s investigation followed Sadiq’s expulsion from the DMK after his arrest by the Narcotics Control Bureau for allegedly heading a drug cartel involved in smuggling pseudoephedrine and ketamine. The probe revealed that Sadiq, along with his brother Mohammed Saleem and others, was involved in the export and concealment of narcotics. Mohammed Saleem, the now-expelled VCK functionary admitted to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that they engaged in drug smuggling under Sadiq’s direction. This admission follows Saleem’s arrest by the ED on 13 August 2024 regarding the high-profile drug smuggling and money laundering case.

Sadiq, previously associated with the DMK, is imprisoned in Puzhal Jail over charges related to drug trafficking and illegal money transfers. Mohammed Saleem, who was a member of the VCK, was taken into custody by the ED and is undergoing a seven-day interrogation concerning drug smuggling and money laundering operations.

According to the ED, Sadiq and his associates used various firms and entities to launder the proceeds from drug trafficking. It is important to remember that Ameer had initally tried to wash his hands off of Sadiq by claiming that he was unaware of Sadiq’s “other face” and also stated that the shooting of the film Iraivan Miga Periyavan was halted abruptly following the news of the ₹2000 crore drug bust.

Ameer on 1 March 2024 shared a video of his in which he tried to establish is Muslim identity in an attempt to play victim card and tried to distance himself away from Jaffer Sadiq and the drug bust.

However, during launch function of his now abandoned film “Iraivan Miga Periyavan” in February 2022, Ameer is seen saying Jaffer Sadiq is a distant relative of his. He also mentions that Sadiq had been requesting Ameer to direct a film under his banner for 5 years.

Another video surfaced on social media platform X where Ameer is seen wishing all success to Jaffer Sadiq. He says, “I have been closely watching his meteoric rise in all businesses he has begun. I pray he achieves success with this film (production business) Iraivan Miga Periyavan too.”

It is noteworthy that he addresses Sadiq as “thambi” and Sadiq addresses Ameer as “Anna”.

Director Ameer and Jaffer Sadiq opened a coffee shop called 4AM Coffee and Kitchen under the Mahyan Pvt Ltd company, located at ECR near Chennai. The organization’s managing director, Abdul Basith, is also a director at Zuko Overseas Pvt Ltd alongside Jaffer Sadiq. Notably, Ameer, also known as Ameer Sulthan, is a director of Zuko Overseas Pvt Ltd as well.

Director Vetrimaran and actor Soori attended the launch of the coffee shop. Another establishment, Law Cafe, was opened at Radhakrishnan Salai under the Mahyan Group of Companies, which Ameer and Sadiq run.

Ameer, Vetrimaran, and Jaffer Sadiq have often been seen together in photographs, highlighting the close connections between directors and so-called producers in the Tamil film industry.

Some of the films produced by Jaffer Sadiq include Ameer’s Iraivan Miga PeriyavanMangai, and Indira, all under the JSM Pictures banner. Interestingly, Sadiq’s social media cover photo features four posters, including these three films and another called Maayavalai, which is produced by Ameer’s production house and co-produced by Vetrimaran’s Grass Root Film alongside Sadiq.

It is noteworthy that DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s wife Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi was the chief guest at the launch of a single from the film Mangai.

Sadiq is also associated with the Saleem Bhai Biriyani chain, which Ameer inaugurated. In media interactions, Ameer has mentioned that the biriyani shop is one of Sadiq’s business ventures.

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ED Attaches ₹55.30 Crore In Assets Of International Drug Kingpin And Expelled DMK Leader Jaffer Sadiq Amid Ongoing Money Laundering Investigation https://thecommunemag.com/ed-attaches-%e2%82%b955-30-crore-in-assets-of-international-drug-kingpin-jaffer-sadiq-amid-ongoing-money-laundering-investigation/ Thu, 05 Sep 2024 13:36:42 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=85998 In a significant development in the case of international drug smuggler and former DMK official Jaffer Sadiq, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in Chennai has provisionally attached assets worth ₹55.30 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. These assets include 14 properties, such as the JSM Residency Hotel and a luxury bungalow, […]

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In a significant development in the case of international drug smuggler and former DMK official Jaffer Sadiq, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in Chennai has provisionally attached assets worth ₹55.30 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

These assets include 14 properties, such as the JSM Residency Hotel and a luxury bungalow, and 7 high-end vehicles, including Jaguars and Mercedes, reportedly acquired illegally.

This asset attachment follows a recent court decision. On 16 July 2024, the Principal Sessions and Special Court, which handles PMLA cases, granted the ED three days of custody for Jaffer Sadiq. The ruling, issued by Judge S. Alli, followed the ED’s request for 15 days of custody. Instead, the judge approved custody from 17 July to 19 July 2024, with provisions allowing relatives to visit Sadiq.

It is noteworthy to mention that the attached property, JSM Residency, was inaugurated by DMK Minister Sekarbabu along with Dravidianist-Islamist film director Ameer in August 2022.

On 15 July 2024, the Principal Sessions and Special Court placed Sadiq in judicial custody for 15 days related to a money laundering case filed by the ED. This decision followed his transfer from Tihar Jail to Chennai, where the ED sought Jaffer Sadiq’s remand after formally arresting him through a prisoner transfer warrant issued by the NCB.

This action follows an investigation into Jaffer Sadiq Abdul Rehman, a former DMK functionary who is a key figure in a drug cartel involved in smuggling pseudoephedrine and ketamine.

Who Is Jaffer Sadiq?

Sadiq, a producer of five Tamil films, was the leader of a cartel responsible for shipping Pseudoephedrine from India to Australia and New Zealand, as per the sources. Four other individuals from Tamil Nadu were apprehended in a Delhi warehouse.

Sadiq, who was affiliated with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and serving as the Deputy Organiser for the Chennai West NRI Wing, was permanently expelled from the party on 25 February 2024 following the revelation of his involvement with the drug cartel. The case unraveled when authorities from New Zealand and Australia alerted Indian agencies about substantial drug smuggling in their countries, disguised as food products. The NCB was probing the possibility of drug money being used to fund films.

In February, New Zealand customs and Australian police provided information about large amounts of pseudoephedrine, hidden in desiccated coconut powder, being shipped to both countries. Additional information from the US Drug Enforcement Administration pointed to Delhi as the source of the consignment.

An international drug trafficking network has been broken up by a combined operation from the NCB and the Special Cell of Delhi Police, resulting in the seizure of at least 50 kg of Pseudoephedrine in Delhi.

Following extensive questioning, officials disclosed that over the past three years, 45 shipments containing roughly 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine, worth over ₹2,000 crore in the international market, had been dispatched.

On 9 March 2024, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) announced the arrest of Jaffer Sadiq, the mastermind behind the India-Australia-New Zealand drug trafficking network. According to the NCB, Sadiq is reportedly the mastermind behind the drug trafficking ring spanning India, Australia, and New Zealand. Sadiq, who has five film productions to his credit, allegedly operated a cartel that transported pseudoephedrine from India to Australia and New Zealand. Four individuals from Tamil Nadu were apprehended in a Delhi warehouse two weeks prior.

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“These Are Not Badges Of Honor But A Disgrace To The Sate”: TN BJP Chief Annamalai Slams DMK After ED Arrests VCK’s Mohammed Saleem In Jaffer Sadiq Drug Smuggling Case https://thecommunemag.com/tn-annamalai-jaffer-sadiq-drugs-saleem/ Wed, 14 Aug 2024 08:07:36 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=83287 Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai criticised the ruling DMK government for ignoring a high-profile drug trafficking and money laundering case, in which the ED arrested Mohammed Saleem, brother of a dismissed DMK functionary, Jaffer Sadiq. It was discovered that Saleem accumulated over ₹8 crore in illegal cash deposits in these drug operations. ED detains […]

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Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai criticised the ruling DMK government for ignoring a high-profile drug trafficking and money laundering case, in which the ED arrested Mohammed Saleem, brother of a dismissed DMK functionary, Jaffer Sadiq. It was discovered that Saleem accumulated over ₹8 crore in illegal cash deposits in these drug operations.

ED detains Saleem

Mohammed Saleem, former deputy secretary of the Central Chennai zone in Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the sibling of a dismissed DMK functionary, Jaffer Sadiq, was detained by the ED in connection with a money laundering investigation.

The ED, in its official X account, stated, “ED, Chennai has made a significant arrest in the ongoing investigation into high-profile drug smuggling and money laundering. Mohammed Saleem has been arrested under the provisions of PMLA, 2002, for his involvement in laundering proceeds linked to the Jaffer Sadiq case.”

Sadiq, previously arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for involvement in international drug trafficking, was taken into custody at Tihar Jail in New Delhi in June as part of the investigation into drug-related money laundering. The ED’s latest action follows an NCB investigation that identified Sadiq as the mastermind behind an elaborate scheme to smuggle pseudoephedrine disguised as health-mix powder and desiccated coconut to Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia. This case also builds on prior customs seizures.

Details about the case

The ED’s investigation revealed that Mohammed Saleem, in collaboration with Jaffer Sadiq, played a crucial role in exporting and concealing pseudoephedrine and other narcotics. Saleem, involved in various companies and entities, used these platforms to launder and layer the illicit proceeds. It was discovered that Saleem accumulated over ₹8 crore in illegal cash deposits across several accounts he controlled.

Saleem employed money laundering tactics such as using financial intermediaries and fictitious loans to obscure the origins of this cash. Additionally, he channelled drug trafficking proceeds into real estate investments and purchased luxury items, including a Jaguar. His amassed wealth, in sharp contrast to his declared income, highlights the extent of his involvement in the criminal network.

Saleem appeared before a local court on 13 August 2024, where Principal Sessions Judge S Alli remanded him to judicial custody until 27th of August. The ED has also requested 15 days of custody for Saleem. The judge has ordered a notice regarding the agency’s request and scheduled a further hearing for the next day.

BJP shames DMK for ignoring the drug menace

In this context, Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai has slammed the ruling DMK government for its ignorance regarding these developments, and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin should recognize that these incidents are not marks of honour but rather a disgrace to the state.

Annamalai via his official X account stated, “The DMK Government in Tamil Nadu had no idea till the NCB identified the Drug Kingpin and DMK functionary Jaffar Sadiq, for smuggling Pseudoephedrine, who was operating right under their noses and a frequent visitor to their party headquarters. Today, his brother & VCK functionary Mohammed Salim has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate for his involvement in international drug trafficking and profiting through it. Recently, a DMK functionary, Ibrahim, was arrested by NCB for smuggling 70 Crore worth of methamphetamine. TN CM Thiru@mkstalin  should realise that these are not badges of honour but a disgrace to the state.

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ED Granted 3-Day Custody Of Ex-DMK NRI Wing Office Bearer & Intl Druglord Jaffer Sadiq In Money Laundering Case https://thecommunemag.com/ed-granted-3-day-custody-of-ex-dmk-nri-wing-office-bearer-intl-druglord-jaffer-sadiq-in-money-laundering-case/ Thu, 18 Jul 2024 10:48:11 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=80938 The Principal Sessions and Special Court overseeing cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) three days’ custody of Jaffer Sadiq, international drug kingpin and former DMK functionary, on 16 July 2024. Judge S Alli issued this ruling in response to the ED’s application, which originally sought 15 days’ […]

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The Principal Sessions and Special Court overseeing cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) three days’ custody of Jaffer Sadiq, international drug kingpin and former DMK functionary, on 16 July 2024.

Judge S Alli issued this ruling in response to the ED’s application, which originally sought 15 days’ custody. The judge allowed custody from 17 to 19 July 2024, with conditions including permission for relatives to visit Sadiq on 18 July 2024 and mandating his appearance in court on 19 July 2024.

During the hearing, ED’s special public prosecutor N Ramesh argued that custodial interrogation was necessary because Sadiq had been uncooperative and evasive during questioning at Tihar jail, where he was held following his arrest by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on drug smuggling charges. Ramesh emphasized that obtaining custody was crucial to uncovering the source of the proceeds from his alleged criminal activities.

In his defence, Sadiq’s senior counsel, Abudu Kumar Rajarathinam, countered that seeking custody based on Sadiq’s alleged evasiveness and non-cooperation was unfounded. He pointed out that the ED had already been granted permission to interrogate Sadiq twice while he was in Tihar jail and had completed its questioning. Rajarathinam argued that seeking custody again on these grounds was not permissible under the law.

Earlier, on 15 July 2024, the Principal Sessions and Special Court had remanded Sadiq to judicial custody for 15 days in connection with a money laundering case filed by the ED. This followed his transfer from Tihar Jail to Chennai, where the ED sought his remand after formally arresting him using a prisoner transfer warrant issued by the NCB.

Who Is Jaffer Sadiq?

Sadiq, a producer of five Tamil films, was the leader of a cartel responsible for shipping Pseudoephedrine from India to Australia and New Zealand, as per the sources. Four other individuals from Tamil Nadu were apprehended in a Delhi warehouse.

Sadiq, who was affiliated with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and serving as the Deputy Organiser for the Chennai West NRI Wing, was permanently expelled from the party on 25 February 2024 following the revelation of his involvement with the drug cartel. The case unraveled when authorities from New Zealand and Australia alerted Indian agencies about substantial drug smuggling in their countries, disguised as food products. The NCB was probing the possibility of drug money being used to fund films.

In February, New Zealand customs and Australian police provided information about large amounts of pseudoephedrine, hidden in desiccated coconut powder, being shipped to both countries. Additional information from the US Drug Enforcement Administration pointed to Delhi as the source of the consignment.

An international drug trafficking network has been broken up by a combined operation from the NCB and the Special Cell of Delhi Police, resulting in the seizure of at least 50 kg of Pseudoephedrine in Delhi.

Following extensive questioning, officials disclosed that over the past three years, 45 shipments containing roughly 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine, worth over ₹2,000 crore in the international market, had been dispatched.

On 9 March 2024, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) announced the arrest of Jaffer Sadiq, the mastermind behind the India-Australia-New Zealand drug trafficking network. According to the NCB, Sadiq is reportedly the mastermind behind the drug trafficking ring spanning India, Australia, and New Zealand. Sadiq, who has five film productions to his credit, allegedly operated a cartel that transported pseudoephedrine from India to Australia and New Zealand. Four individuals from Tamil Nadu were apprehended in a Delhi warehouse two weeks prior.

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ED Urges TN DGP To Act On Illegal Sand Mining Scam On Evidence Under PMLA Sec 66(2) https://thecommunemag.com/ed-urges-tn-dgp-to-act-on-illegal-sand-mining-scam-on-evidence-under-pmla-sec-662/ Fri, 28 Jun 2024 05:03:16 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=79494 The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has forwarded a report to the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police highlighting suspected collusion between state officials and private contractors who own excavators in an alleged sand mining scandal worth ₹4,730 crore. The agency also indicated that the state government did not take corrective action against the illegal activities, which […]

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has forwarded a report to the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police highlighting suspected collusion between state officials and private contractors who own excavators in an alleged sand mining scandal worth ₹4,730 crore. The agency also indicated that the state government did not take corrective action against the illegal activities, which purportedly led to significant financial losses for the government.

In a recent communication sent under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the central agency detailed findings from a nine-month investigation. They estimated that approximately 23.64 lakh units (66.21 lakh cubic meters) of sand were unlawfully extracted between 2020 and 2023.

According to the ED, private contractors with excavator machinery conducted unauthorized sand mining in areas adjacent to those officially leased by the Public Works Department (PWD). At four specific quarries, these contractors mined sand at rates exceeding the permitted quantities by 10-30 times. Despite government permits covering only 4.9 hectares, mining activities were observed across 105 hectares, encompassing adjacent areas. Violations related to excavation depth were also documented.

The ED’s dossier further stated that while contracts were issued for approximately 190 hectares across 28 sites in five districts, the actual mined area amounted to an estimated 987 hectares. This calculation was based on a technical analysis conducted by Terraqua UAV Solutions, a firm associated with IIT-Kanpur, which utilized advanced technologies such as high-resolution satellite imagery, drone footage, LIDAR data, and bathymetric surveys to assess the extent of excessive mining.

Overall, the ED’s investigation underscores alleged irregularities in the sand mining sector in Tamil Nadu, implicating collusion between officials and contractors and significant financial repercussions for the state exchequer.

The ED has further substantiated instances of excessive mining by examining GPS coordinates from 273 excavator machines sold by M/s Kobelco and JCB to 16 customers in Tamil Nadu, which were utilized for sand mining activities. Analysis of geolocation data revealed that multiple machines were simultaneously extracting sand from a single site, contrary to Tamil Nadu government regulations which permit only two machines per quarry at any given time. Additionally, the ED scrutinized the operational hours, idling periods, and fuel consumption of these machines to bolster its findings. In its correspondence, the ED also provided a list of four companies that have been awarded contracts for sand quarrying and transportation to depots.

ED ‘s Focus on Tamil Nadu Sand Mining Scandal

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has accused contractors of accumulating substantial illicit wealth through illegal sand mining activities in Tamil Nadu. Alongside identifying customers who purchased excavator machines from two specific companies in the state, the ED asserted that apart from causing financial losses to the government, the rampant illegal mining has facilitated the accumulation of significant unlawful wealth by these contractors.

In connection with this case, the ED has provisionally attached assets valued at ₹130 crore, including 209 sand excavators valued at ₹128.34 crore. Additionally, deposits totaling ₹2.25 crore across 35 bank accounts linked to individuals such as Shanmugam Ramachandran, Karuppaiah Rethinam, Pannerselvam Karikalan, and others allegedly involved, have been seized.

Furthermore, on 25 April 2024, district collectors from Ariyalur, Karur, Thanjavur, Tiruchy, and Vellore appeared before the ED following summonses for questioning.

(With Inputs From TNIE)

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Homes of senior Congress party leader DK Shivaakumar and his associates raided by CBI https://thecommunemag.com/homes-of-senior-congress-party-leader-dk-shivaakumar-and-his-associates-raided-by-cbi/ Mon, 05 Oct 2020 13:02:05 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=11185 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on an early Monday (5 October) morning raided the residence and businesses associated with Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, Lok Sabha MP from Bengaluru Rural, in a corruption case as reported by the Hindustan Times. The CBI simultaneously carried out searches at […]

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on an early Monday (5 October) morning raided the residence and businesses associated with Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, Lok Sabha MP from Bengaluru Rural, in a corruption case as reported by the Hindustan Times.

The CBI simultaneously carried out searches at 14 locations in Karnataka, Delhi and Maharashtra. The raised were conducted with regards to assets amassed during Shivakumar’s tenure as a minister in Karnataka.

After the CBI raid, at their residence located in Doddallahalli village in Kanankapura constituency, supporters of the two leaders came out in support of them. The Congress party called this raid political vendetta and an “insidious game of intimidation”.

A statement from the central agency reads, “CBI has registered a case against then Minister of Karnataka Government and others on the allegations of acquisition of Disproportionate Assets. Searches are being conducted today at 14 locations including 9 in Karnataka, 4 in Delhi, one in Mumbai. Details will follow,”.

The CBI also raided the Delhi residences of Suresh and the residence of Shivakumar’s close aide Iqbal Hussain. After the Karnataka government gave its go-ahead, the CBI had registered a case against D K Shivakumar and others under the prevention of corruption act.

It all started when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into a money-laundering matter came to light, and Shivakumar was also arrested in September last year based on a charge sheet filed by the Income Tax Department against him.

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