Enforcement Directorate Files FIR Against Iqbal Mirchi’s Associate

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Abdul Kadar Ali Mohamed, a close associate of the late drug smuggler Iqbal Mirchi. The FIR, lodged at the V P Road police station in Mumbai, accuses Mohamed of demolishing the New Roshan Talkies in Girgaon two years ago and attempting to sell the property for ₹15 crore, despite its attachment by the ED.

The allegations state that Mohamed unlawfully transferred the property into his name. Mukhtar Patka, Mirchi’s brother-in-law, managed the theatre until its closure during the Covid-19 pandemic. Patka informed the ED that he had cautioned Mohamed against demolishing the structure, which was subject to legal attachment.

In a further twist, Mirchi’s son, who is currently absconding and is implicated in a money laundering case, submitted an application to the tribunal. He sought the removal of illegal encroachments from the premises and requested the ED to take possession of the property upon learning of its demolition.

The ED has previously attached properties belonging to Mirchi, with a total estimated value of ₹979 crore, as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation initiated in 2019. This includes the New Roshan Talkies, which has long been linked to Mirchi’s criminal activities.

The FIR details a history of collaboration between Mohamed and Mirchi dating back to 1965. According to the report, a mutual friend, Mumtaz Pehalwan, proposed that they jointly acquire the theatre. In 1982, they purchased the property for ₹6 lakh, with Mohamed allegedly contributing ₹5.4 lakh from his bank account. The ED claims that Mohamed misused this agreement to transfer the theatre solely into his name, failing to prove that he had made the appropriate payments for the purchase.

The ED’s investigation into Mirchi and his associates resulted in the attachment of several properties in 2020, including the New Roshan Talkies. The adjudication authority under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) confirmed this attachment. Although the ED was poised to take possession of the property, Mirchi’s relatives obtained a stay from the Appellate Tribunal, leaving the matter in legal limbo.

As the case unfolds, it highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing the legacy of organized crime and the complexities associated with recovering assets linked to illicit activities. The ED continues to pursue its investigation while the legal battles over the property persist.