The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has conducted search operations at nine locations in Ahmedabad in connection with an ongoing money laundering investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving Waqf properties. During the raids, the agency seized cash amounting to Rs 30 lakh, froze cryptocurrency worth Rs 7 lakh, and froze bank funds to the tune of Rs 2 crore, as per an official statement issued on Wednesday.
The investigation was initiated based on a First Information Report filed by the Gaekwad Haveli Police Station of the Ahmedabad City Crime Branch against Salim Khan Jummakhan Pathan and others.
The accused are alleged to have falsely claimed to be trustees of two Waqf Board-registered trusts: Kanch Ki Masjid Trust and Shah Bada Kasam Trust.
According to the ED, the individuals involved allegedly entered into fraudulent lease agreements, extorted rent from tenants, and submitted forged affidavits to the Waqf Board. They are also accused of constructing shops on trust-owned land and collecting rent, while engaging in fraud and conspiracy targeting the Waqf Board and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) for personal benefit.
The agency stated that the accused unlawfully constructed between 150 and 200 residential houses and around 25 to 30 commercial shops on land belonging to the trusts.&nbsp;
Despite not being officially appointed as trustees by the Waqf Board, they continued to collect rent from tenants each month. &ldquo;They allegedly siphoned off the trusts&rsquo; money and misused the said land, which was originally meant for community welfare,&rdquo; the ED said.
The ED further stated: &ldquo;During the course of search operations, bank funds to the tune of Rs 2 crore were frozen, cash worth Rs 30 lakh was seized and Rs 7 lakh worth crypto currency was freezed, which are either owned/controlled by the accused and their affiliates having parked suspected &lsquo;proceeds of crime&rsquo;.&rdquo;
In addition to the frozen assets and seized cash, multiple incriminating documents and digital devices were recovered from the premises. Officials confirmed that further investigation into the matter is currently underway.
(With inputs from agencies)
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ED conducted raids in Ahmedabad, seizing Rs 30L in cash, Rs 7L in crypto, and freezing Rs 2 Cr in funds

ED Seizes Assets, Freezes Funds in Waqf Scam Probe

ED conducted raids in Ahmedabad, seizing Rs 30L in cash, Rs 7L in crypto, and freezing Rs 2 Cr in funds

May 8, 2025 | 12:32 IST