The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday arrested a man, who was detained at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, in connection with a money-laundering probe against a Malegaon-based trader who allegedly misused bank accounts for electoral malpractice.
The ED arrested Akram Mohammed Shafi claiming his involvement in helping other accused to open multiple bank accounts in Malegaon which were then used for transfer of funds to shell companies, to the tune of Rs 125 crore.
Shafi was produced before the special court in Mumbai. As his medical test was not conducted, he will be produced before the court on Friday, when the ED will seek his custody for further probe.
The ED has claimed that there was an LOC issued against Shafi and he was detained at the Ahmedabad airport while trying to leave the country, allegedly attempting to flee to Dubai.
The ED has said that Shafi was given summons and brought to the ED and asked to remain present on Thursday. Shafi appeared before the agency and his statement was recorded. He was arrested in the evening after his proof of his involvement was found, the agency claimed.
14 accounts opened in Malegaon bank: ED
According to the ED, 14 accounts were opened in a bank in Malegaon initially in connivance with the trader named Siraj Ahmad.
Money was transferred through hawala into these accounts and transactions were done through shell companies of Rs 125 crore.
The ED claimed that following the transactions, the money was withdrawn in cash. The ED claimed that Shafi had arranged identification documents to help open the accounts.
