Ahmedabad: The Zonal Office of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has issued a Provisional Attachment Order (PAO) under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with an investigation against Arif Ali Amjad Ali Khan and others. Under the order, the ED has attached 14 immovable properties worth approximately ₹11.3 crore located in Godhra district, the agency announced on Thursday.

The investigation was initiated on the basis of a First Offence Report (FOR) registered by the Range Forest Officer, Mandvi South Range, Surat Forest Division, in a case related to the illegal smuggling of Khair wood, in violation of various provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

According to the ED, the main allegations in the criminal case are that Mustaq Adam Tasiya, Mohd. Tahir Ahmed Hussain and others were involved in the illegal cutting of Khair trees from wildlife sanctuaries across several districts of Gujarat, including Vyara, Tapi, Surat, Valsad, Navsari and Narmada, without obtaining permission from forest authorities.

The accused allegedly transported and sold the illegally felled timber across state borders, causing serious damage to protected forest areas and natural wildlife habitats, while generating substantial proceeds of crime.

During the course of the investigation, the ED found that Mustaq Adam Tasiya and Mohd. Tahir Ahmed Hussain, in connivance with their associates, were continuously engaged in illegal felling of Khair trees and selling the wood in the grey market.

The agency stated that the illegal activities resulted in significant financial losses to the government, with proceeds of crime running into several crores of rupees. Consequently, the ED identified and provisionally attached assets valued at ₹11.3 crore under the PMLA. DeshGujarat