ED records statement of two developers in Iqbal Kaskar extortion case

The agency is investigating if any money was laundered and used to purchase property

The Enforcement Directorate has recorded the statements of two developers in connection with the extortion case against underworld don Dawood Ibrahim’s brother, Iqbal Kaskar.

The agency is investigating if any money was laundered and used to purchase property. “We are looking for benami properties,” said a high-ranking ED officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media.

The police arrested Iqbal and two of his associates on September 18 on charges of extorting money from a developer in Thane. The three men were held on charges of extorting Rs30 lakh and four flats.

The ED suspects the money may have been invested in property in the country and abroad. If there is any property, the agency will attach it under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED has registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), which is equivalent to an FIR, against Iqbal.

The Thane police have found suspicious bank transactions made by Iqbal and his aides, which the ED is looking into. The agency is also looking forhawala transactions. Iqbal and his aides, Mumtaz Ijaz Shaikh and Israr Ali Jamil Sayyed, have been named as accused in the ECIR.