Close aide of Iqbal Mirchi, Humayun Merchant arrested by ED, produced in court

Humayun Merchant will be produced in Mumbai court today under the controversial case of Iqbal Mirchi

Mumbai| On Tuesday The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Humayun Merchant, a close aide of late gangster Iqbal Mirchi and seized his property in connection with an alleged land deal case.

The ED has identified the Benami assets of Mirchi, who was declared as one of the 10 foreign drug kingpins by the US.

Humayun Merchant is going to be produced in Mumbai court late today. He is arrested stating the link between the controversial properties owned by deceased D-Company gangster Iqbal Mirchi. A-part from half dozen of properties in India over 25 more properties in London and UAE have been inspected by Investigative agencies.

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One property according to the ED is two floors of Ceejay House in Mumbai. Former Union minister Praful Patel has also been questioned by the ED in connection with the case as he signed an agreement with family members of Mirchi.

Patel was earlier questioned by the investigative agency and confronted him with documents and statements of key players involved in the case.

Mumbai: Humayun Merchant (in chequered shirt), was produced at a Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court, in a case related to underworld don Iqbal Mirchi.The court sent him to ED custody till 24th October.He was arrested by a team of Enforcement Directorate today pic.twitter.com/sGchGV4SXL

— ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2019

Praful Patel was seen as Iqbal Mirchi’s right-hand man Humayun Merchant and brother-in-law, Mushtaq Memon.

Both had earlier recorded their statement and explained how Mirchi had appropriated properties in South Mumbai. Patel denied having any links with Iqbal Mirchi and denied meeting with either Merchant or Mushtaq.

The arrest of Humayun Merchant is likely to help ED find more details in connection with the ongoing investigation.