ED attaches 7 properties of MHADA official

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday attached seven properties belonging to suspended MHADA deputy collector Nitish Thakur and his family located in Mumbai, Alibaug and Murud-Jinjira having a market value of over Rs12 crore. Manish Pachouly reports.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday attached seven properties belonging to suspended MHADA deputy collector Nitish Thakur and his family located in Mumbai, Alibaug and Murud-Jinjira having a market value of over Rs12 crore. The ED has initiated investigations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Thakur who was last month raided by the Thane anti-corruption bureau (ACB) for acquiring disproportionate assets of more than Rs118.39 crore. The ED’s action came after the Mumbai police’s crime branch filed a charge sheet against Thakur, his brother Nilesh and others in an extortion, cheating and forgery case registered last year.

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Besides this, four cases have been filed by four persons before the city civil & sessions court, Alibaug, against Thakur for cheating.

Sources in the ED said that these are scheduled offences based on which the case under PMLA was registered and properties attached.

As per law, a person can be charged for money laundering only if he is booked under any of the scheduled offences mentioned in the PMLA.

Officials said that following attachment, Thakur would not be able to sell his properties or give them on lease. However, he would be allowed to use the same.