ED attaches properties worth Rs 1.56 crores in Srinagar under PMLA

Srinagar: Enforcement Directorate (ED), on Tuesday provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs. 1.56 Crore in Srinagar under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 in the misappropriation of funds case, officials said.
The properties attached included land measuring one Kanal three Marlas, situated in Srinagar, along with a two-storied residential house made thereon and a vehicle of Niamat Ali Bhat, a contractor under the provisions of PMLA.
The ED statement said the case is related to Hakeem Imtiyaz, Junior Engineer of the R&B Department, J&K, who by abusing his official position furthered the criminal conspiracy with private Cellular operators and contractors including one Niamat Ali Bhat, causing a misappropriation of government funds.
ED initiated an investigation based on FIR registered by Anti Corruption Bureau, Anantnag, J&K under various sections of J&K PC Act, RPC Act, PC Act, 1988 and IPC, 1860 against Hakeem Imtiyaz and others. ED investigation revealed that Hakeem Imtiyaz, in a criminal conspiracy with others including one Niamat, fraudulently obtained the funds of Rs. 2.67 Crore claimed for repairing the property which got damaged during the laying of Fiber-optic Cables and deposited them into a bank account with a single operator, which was fraudulently opened in the name of Assistant Engineer, PW (R&B) Division, Shopian” with intention of siphoning off the said fund. It has been further revealed by ED that upon receipt of proceeds of crime into the bank accounts, Niamat had used the part of the same, for acquisition and construction of the attached properties.
Further investigation is under progress