BREAKING: Enforcement Directorate files money laundering case to investigate sources of properties of Jahangirpuri violence prime accused Ansar Sheikh

After Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana wrote to the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday about investigating the wealth of Mohammad Ansar, one of the main suspects in the Jahangirpuri violence, the Enforcement Directorate is said to have launched a probe.

Ansar, who was arrested on Tuesday under the National Security Act, had been leading an illegal gambling (satta) ring as well as a smack and bootlegging ring for years. He has previously been arrested on multiple occasions. According to sources, unlike MCOCA, NSA does not have jurisdiction over financial wrongdoings, hence the ED was asked to look into Ansar’s income and money laundering possibilities.

The ED is looking into the four FIRs filed in the Jahangirpuri incidents after getting communication from Delhi Police. Aside from the original FIR, which is being investigated by the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police, a second FIR has been filed against Younus alias Sonu Chikna.

“The violation of the Arms Act also includes money laundering. The FIRs and documents provided by the Delhi Police are being investigated “According to an ED source, if prima facie evidence suggests money laundering offences, a case might be filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Ansar and others likely invested the profits of crime in real estate in Delhi and West Bengal through property acquisition, dubious dealings, and land grabbing, according to the initial investigation and background checks conducted by Crime Branch. In the northeast Delhi riots of 2020, the ED filed a case under the PMLA and later a prosecution charge against Tahir Hussain.

Meanwhile, police stated on Friday that they had investigated a viral photo of Ansar posing with a BMW and discovered that the vehicle belonged to a businessman from south Delhi. It was a contested BMW automobile that Ansar had gotten with his clout.

“He then sold the automobile to a West Bengal resident. The car’s owner had filed a complaint with Delhi Police. Ansar was even requested to return the automobile by the cops “according to a source

The detectives are also looking into Ansar’s relation to Raj Malhotra’s bogus Facebook account.

Around 25 persons have been arrested in connection with the incident in Jahangirpuri last Saturday. At least three more suspects have been questioned by police, and the number of arrests could increase.

The preliminary investigation suggests that Ansar planned to disrupt peace and harmony in the neighbourhood by disrupting the Hanuman Jayanti procession at least three days prior. The detectives claim to have discovered electronic evidence as well as information on an Ansar meeting held in the days leading up to the procession.