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AAP allegedly linked to fake ED raid in Kutch, 12 held: Gujarat police

On December 2, imposters pretending to be ED officials staged a fake raid at Radhika Jewellers in Gandhidham and made off with jewelry valued at 22.25 lakh

Published on: Dec 15, 2024, 10:05:11 IST
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Ahmedabad: Gujarat police said on Saturday that the prime accused behind the fake enforcement directorate (ED) raid at Radhika Jewellers in Kutch, is suspected to have links with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and has illicitly obtained funds to support party activities.

Police arrested 12 people, including the alleged mastermind, Abdul Sattar Majothi (Photo for representation)
Police arrested 12 people, including the alleged mastermind, Abdul Sattar Majothi (Photo for representation)

However, AAP leaders have strongly refuted these allegations and called it “baseless”.

On December 2, imposters pretending to be ED officials staged a fake raid at Radhika Jewellers in Gandhidham and made off with jewellery valued at 22.25 lakh.

Police arrested 12 people, including the alleged mastermind, Abdul Sattar Majothi, on December 4.

According to Kutch (East) superintendent of police Sagar Bagmar, Majothi confessed during police questioning that he had met senior Gujarat AAP leaders Gopal Italia and Manoj Sorathiya at the Bhuj circuit house months before the incident.

Bagmar added that Majothi, who has previous criminal charges including murder and attempted murder in Jamnagar and Bhuj, was actively monitoring the fake raid operation.

The case took a political turn when Gujarat minister Harsh Sanghavi posted on social media that Majothi was AAP’s “general secretary,” sharing photos of the accused with AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and Gujarat AAP president Isudan Gadhavi.

Also Read: ED raids in north India states in HUDA refund ‘scam’ case probe

Gujarat AAP leader Italia dismissed the police claims as “baseless,” suggesting political motivation behind the investigation.

“We all know how much we can trust the police, especially when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has full control over them. The police are making false allegations and should come out with proper details to prove their point,” Italia said.

Police officials said the investigation will continue, focusing on Majothi’s financial transactions and accounting records, with the possibility of questioning additional party workers if necessary.

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