Mumbai: Rs. 10,000 withdrawn from the account of unemployed youth in the Merchant Bank branch in Malegaon, Nashik. Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigated a transaction worth Rs 125 crore. ED raided 24 locations linked to traders and fake companies in Thane, Vashi, Malegaon, Nashik, Surat and Ahmedabad. Fake transactions worth crores of rupees have been revealed by opening accounts in banks of Surat and Ahmedabad in Gujarat to provide funds for Maharashtra Assembly elections. Apart from this, crores of rupees were also transferred through Hawala for Maharashtra election fund, hence ED officials conducted a search operation in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
It is alleged that this money was used for ‘Vote Jihad’. Further investigation was demanded. Due to which there was turmoil in the entire state.
Siraj Ahmed is said to be the mastermind of this case and the branch manager of Merchant Co-operative Bank of Nashik. Today the ED team entered Malegaon to investigate the Rs 125 crore scam case. Now shocking things are coming to light in this matter.
This is the tea and cold drink agency of accused Siraj Ahmed. The complainant’s brother Ganesh used to supply goods in his car. Siraj tells Ganesh that he wants to start a corn business and he needs a bank account to collect money from farmers. They took PAN card, Aadhaar card, SIM card from Ganesh, complainant Jayesh and 10 others (Prateek Jadhav, Pawan Jadhav, Manoj Misal, Dhanraj Bachhav, Rahul Kale, Rajendra Bind, Diwakar Ghumre, Bhavesh Ghumre, Lalit Mote, Dattatre Usha) . Bank accounts were opened in his name. Siraj took signatures on all the forms for opening the account, FD form, loan form etc. In return, Siraj promised him a job in the APMC market of Malegaon. Apart from these 12 accounts, Siraj opened two more accounts in the name of his friends.
Raids were conducted by ED in Nashik, Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Malegaon. The houses of people whose Aadhaar and PAN were used for bank accounts were also checked.
2200 transactions in 153 bank branches
The accounts of Mohammad Sajid (age 45) and Moin Khan of Malegaon are in the name of Gangasagar Enterprises and Dhanraj Agra respectively. These 14 accounts were opened between 23 September and 3 October. The ED team has collected statements of all 14 accounts from the bank. By the time the account was frozen on October 21, a total of 2200 transactions had taken place. 2200 transactions have been done from a total of 153 bank branches in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Orissa, West Bengal and Maharashtra. Crores of rupees have also been sent to some fake companies and firms.
Five bank accounts suspended
ED is obtaining information about all these accounts. There are 315 debit transactions. About Rs 111 crore has been withdrawn from 17 accounts. Accused Siraj Ahmed received the money through checks from Gangasagar Enterprises and Dhanraj Agro between October 4 and October 15. Rs 14 crore were withdrawn.
Out of Rs 14 crore, he transferred Rs. Rs 9.59 crore has been sent to Mumbai. Information about the remaining amount could not be found. ED has interrogated a person associated with Hawala in Mumbai. Meanwhile, they have got information about the person who took the money. Of the 17 accounts, two belong to Malegaon – Bank of Maharashtra and Axis Bank. ED has taken bank statements of all the accounts of Bank of Maharashtra. ED has frozen five bank accounts.
Tax evasion attempted?
Rupee. MK Marketing of Pragati Traders and Axis Bank of Ahmedabad have been given Rs 45 crore. The suspects are also said to be trying to evade taxes for some companies.