ED Attaches ₹6.52 Crore Properties In Daman Money-Laundering Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached 17 immovable properties in Daman and Valsad worth around ₹6.52 crore in a money-laundering case against alleged gangster Suresh Jagubhai Patel alias Sukha and his associates.

The properties were attached on September 8 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The ED's investigation was initiated on the basis of FIRs registered by the Daman Police, Gujarat Police, and Mumbai Police against Patel and his alleged associates for offences including corruption, possession of illegal firearms, murder, extortion, forgery, passport forgery, and copyright violations.

According to the ED, its investigation found that Patel had allegedly established a monopoly over scrap trading and transport services in Daman by eliminating rival traders and using threats, intimidation, and muscle power. The agency said his alleged criminal activities and the fear they generated were used to control the business.

The ED had earlier filed a prosecution complaint before the Special Court (PMLA), Daman, in 2024, against Patel, his associate Mahesh Nanda, and others. In the case, the agency had earlier seized or frozen cash and bank balances amounting to ₹2.90 crore during search operations. It had also provisionally attached 24 immovable properties in Daman and Mumbai valued at ₹4.42 crore.

These properties were subsequently confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority under the PMLA. With the latest attachment, the total value of movable and immovable assets seized, attached, or frozen in the case has reached around ₹13.85 crore, according to the ED.

The ED's investigation and subsequent attachments are a significant step in curbing money laundering and organized crime in the region. The agency's efforts to crack down on illegal activities and seize assets acquired through illicit means will help to maintain law and order in Daman and surrounding areas.

The case highlights the importance of the ED's role in investigating and prosecuting money laundering cases. The agency's work in this area helps to prevent the misuse of the financial system and to bring those involved in illegal activities to justice.

In the context of the larger fight against organized crime and money laundering, the ED's actions in this case are a positive development. The agency's efforts to seize assets and prosecute those involved in illegal activities will help to create a safer and more secure environment for businesses and individuals in the region.

The significance of this case extends beyond the immediate attachments and seizures. It highlights the need for continued vigilance and action against money laundering and organized crime. The ED's work in this area is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the financial system and to preventing the misuse of funds for illicit purposes.

In conclusion, the ED's attachment of ₹6.52 crore properties in the Daman scrap-trading money-laundering case is a significant step in the fight against organized crime and money laundering. The agency's efforts to investigate and prosecute those involved in illegal activities will help to create a safer and more secure environment for businesses and individuals in the region.