New Delhi/Karnavati. ED conducted raids at 10 locations in Ahmedabad, targeting a Rs 100 crore fraud involving Salim Jummakhan Pathan and associates, who allegedly posed as Waqf Board trustees to collect rent from properties illegally.
The raids follow an FIR by the Gaekwad Haveli police in Ahmedabad. The group is accused of illegally collecting rent from properties associated with the Waqf Board, including the historic Kaanch Ni Masjid (Glass Mosque) and Shah Bada Qasam Trust in the Jamalpur area of Ahmedabad.
Police investigation revealed that the accused were never officially appointed as trustees by the Gujarat State Waqf Board.
They entered into fraudulent lease agreements, extorted rents from tenants, and submitted false affidavits to the Waqf Board. They also built shops on Trust’s land and collected rent, while committing fraud and conspiracy against Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Waqf Board for personal gain. They have illegally built around 150–200 houses and 25–30 shops and have been illegally collecting rents from the tenants, despite not being appointed trustees by the Waqf Board. Rent was collected by the accused persons every month but not deposited into the trust’s account.
Thereby, siphoned off trusts money and mis-used the said land, which was originally meant for community welfare. During the course of search operations, Bank funds to the tune of Rs. 2 Crore (approx.) were freezed, Rs. 30 Lakh seized in cash and Rs. 7 Lakh crypto were freezed, which are either owned/controlled by accused and their affiliates having parked suspected Proceeds of Crime.
Further, various other incriminating documents & digital devices have also been seized. Police have undertaken further investigations.
