Saharanpur District Administration Seizes Rs 276 Crore Assets of Notorious Sand Mafia Kingpin
In a decisive crackdown on organized crime, the Saharanpur district administration on Wednesday ordered the attachment of 56 properties allegedly acquired through illicit means by the infamous sand mafia figure Mohammad Iqbal, widely known as Haji Iqbal and Bala. This action was executed under Section 14(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986, marking a significant escalation in the legal battle against his criminal network.
Massive Property Confiscation Ordered by District Magistrate
District Magistrate Manish Bansal directed the comprehensive attachment of these assets, which primarily consist of land parcels spread across the region. The estimated current market value of these confiscated properties is approximately Rs 276 crore, underscoring the vast scale of wealth accumulated through alleged unlawful activities. To ensure proper oversight, the tehsildar of Behat has been appointed as the administrator responsible for managing and supervising these seized assets under official control.
Background of the Accused and Criminal Allegations
Officials revealed that Mohammad Iqbal, a former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Member of Legislative Council (MLC), along with his associates and family members, has been accused of operating as a highly organized criminal gang. A formal case under the Gangsters Act, registered as Case No. 83/2022 under Sections 2/3, is already pending against him at the Mirzapur police station in Saharanpur. Investigators have leveled serious charges against Iqbal, including his involvement in illegal timber smuggling from protected forest areas, unauthorized mining operations, aggressive land grabbing, and fraudulent property transactions that have disrupted local communities.
Long History of Legal Troubles and Supreme Court Intervention
The crackdown follows a protracted legal saga, with officials stating that nearly 50 criminal cases have been registered against Iqbal across various districts and states. This wave of legal action was triggered after the Supreme Court ordered a thorough investigation against him in 2015, responding to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that alleged he had amassed wealth worth an astonishing Rs 10,000 crore through corrupt practices. In compliance with the court's directives, multiple agencies, including the Income Tax department, Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), initiated coordinated probes into his financial dealings.
Family Arrests and Fugitive Status of the Accused
During the extensive investigation, several of Iqbal's family members, such as his sons and brothers, were arrested and faced legal proceedings. However, Iqbal himself managed to evade direct custody, with police sources indicating that he fled to the Middle East in 2024 to avoid prosecution. The administration has now mandated that all attached properties be rigorously managed under official supervision to prevent any further misuse or dissipation of assets.
