In a major relief for Praful Patel, a court in Mumbai has overturned an order by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to attach his properties worth over Rs 180 crore. The properties were allegedly acquired illegally from the widow of a notorious drug lord and close associate of Dawood Ibrahim. Rejecting the ED's action, the court stated that the properties were not connected to money laundering and were wrongfully targeted.
Praful Patel's Properties Unfrozen: A Detailed Overview
Background
Praful Patel, a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has been facing allegations of financial impropriety for several years. In 2022, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached properties worth over Rs 180 crore belonging to Patel, claiming that they were illegally acquired from the widow of Iqbal Mirchi, a notorious drug lord and close aide of Dawood Ibrahim.
Recent Developments
However, in a major setback for the ED, a Mumbai court overturned the attachment order in August 2023. The court ruled that the properties were not connected to money laundering and had been wrongfully targeted.
Allegations and Investigations
The ED had alleged that Patel had purchased the properties from Mirchi's widow, Hajra Memon, at a price far below the market value. They further claimed that the funds used for the purchase were proceeds of crime.
Patel has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the properties were acquired through legitimate means and that the allegations against him were politically motivated.
Political Fallout
The case has had significant political ramifications. The NCP, Praful Patel's party, is an important ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra. The unfreezing of Patel's properties is seen as a setback for the BJP-NCP alliance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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