MLA Abbas Ansari arrested by ED, sent to 7-day police custody

“The ED had moved an application in the court seeking police custody remand of Abbas Ansari for 14 days to collect evidence in the case. After hearing arguments of both sides, the court sent Abbas Ansari to seven days in police custody, which starts from today. It will continue till November 12,” said District Government Counsel, Prayagraj, Gulab Chandra Agrihari.

Sources said that Abbas had reached the ED’s sub-zonal office in Prayagraj on Friday. He had earlier failed to appear before the agency despite several notices being issued.

The ED had also released a lookout notice against Abbas, who is a first-time MLA . “During questioning yesterday, Abbas did not give proper replies. He could not explain why he was getting money from a firm, Vikas Construction, against which ED had lodged a case last year,” an official said on Saturday.

“Abbas was not named in the FIR filed by the ED against Vikas Construction. However, during our probe, we learnt that Abbas had purchased a property from the money he got from Vikas Construction. A portion of the money he received from the firm is still deposited in his bank account,” the official added.

Officials said it is alleged that Vikas Construction constructed godowns on public/government land after encroaching them. “So far, we have found godowns constructed by the firm in Mau and Ghazipur districts of Uttar Pradesh,” they added. According to officials, ED had registered an FIR against Vikas Construction last year.

Officials said that Abbas was questioned earlier too in connection with this case. “Notices were also issued against Abbas and his mother Afsha after their names surfaced during our investigation. We are verifying Abbas and Afsha’s connection with Vikas Construction,” the official said.

Sources said that so far, the agency has detected over Rs 15 crore laundered by the accused persons. Last year, the ED had also questioned Mukhtar Ansari in connection with this case. In October, the ED had attached seven immovable assets belonging to Mukhtar. The properties are worth Rs 1.48 crore (registry value) . Mukhtar Ansari is a five-time MLA and is currently lodged in Banda district jail.

In August, the agency raided the official residence of Mukhtar’s elder brother and MP Afzal Ansari in Delhi and some other locations.