Ahmedabad: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Ahmedabad Zonal Office, conducted search operations on 06.05.2025 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 at nine locations in Ahmedabad as part of the ongoing probe in the case of Salim Khan Jummakhan Pathan and others (Waqf Board scam case), who have claimed to be trustees of two Waqf Board-registered trusts—viz. Kanch Ki Masjid Trust and Shah Bada Kasam Trust, said an official press release on Wednesday.

ED initiated the investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the Gaekwad Haveli Police Station, Ahmedabad City, Gujarat.

The accused entered into fraudulent lease agreements, extorted rent from tenants, and submitted false affidavits to the Waqf Board. They also built shops on the Trust’s land and collected rent, while committing fraud and conspiracy against the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and the Waqf Board for personal gain. They have illegally built around 150–200 houses and 25–30 shops, and have been unlawfully collecting rent from tenants, despite not being appointed trustees by the Waqf Board. The rent collected by the accused persons every month was not deposited into the Trust’s account. They thereby siphoned off trust money and misused the said land, which was originally meant for community welfare.

During the course of the search operations, bank funds to the tune of approximately Rs. 2 crore were frozen, Rs. 30 lakh seized in cash, and Rs. 7 lakh worth of cryptocurrency was also frozen. These assets are either owned or controlled by the accused and their affiliates, and are suspected to be proceeds of crime. Various other incriminating documents and digital devices have also been seized. Further investigation is in progress. DeshGujarat