The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), operating from its Ahmedabad zonal office, has taken decisive action by issuing a provisional attachment order (PAO) under the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. This legal move targets assets connected to an ongoing investigation involving Arif Ali Amjad Ali Khan and several other individuals implicated in a significant environmental crime.
Substantial Assets Seized in Godhra
In a major development announced on Thursday, the ED has provisionally attached a total of 14 immovable properties, with an estimated collective value of approximately Rs 11.3 crore. These properties are located in Godhra, a city in the Panchmahal district of Gujarat, highlighting the geographical spread of the alleged illicit activities.
Roots in Illegal Khair Wood Smuggling
The investigation was initiated by the ED based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Range Forest Officer (RFO) of Mandvi South Range, which falls under the Surat forest division. The core of the case revolves around the illegal smuggling of khair wood, a valuable timber species, which constitutes a clear violation of the Wildlife Protection Act.
According to the official release from the Enforcement Directorate, the primary allegations in the criminal case are severe and far-reaching. It states that individuals, including Mustaq Adam Tasiya, Moh Tahir Ahmed Hussain, and others, were actively involved in the unauthorized cutting of khair trees from multiple wildlife sanctuaries across various districts in Gujarat.
Widespread Environmental Damage Across Gujarat
The illegal activities reportedly spanned several key districts, causing significant harm to protected forest areas. The affected regions include Vyara, Tapi, Surat, Valsad, Navsari, and Narmada. These actions were carried out without obtaining the necessary permissions from the forest authorities, bypassing legal protocols designed to conserve wildlife and natural resources.
This case underscores the ED's commitment to tackling financial crimes linked to environmental offenses, using the PMLA to target the proceeds of such illegal activities. The provisional attachment of properties worth crores serves as a stern warning against those involved in smuggling and money laundering, aiming to disrupt the economic benefits derived from these unlawful operations.
