New Delhi, Jul 8 (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday said it has restored assets worth more than Rs 3.82 crore to the Karnataka State Waqf Board following a money laundering investigation into a case of alleged fraud against the body.
The money laundering case stems from a state police FIR filed against two Vijaya Bank officials and a man named Syed Siraj Ahmed, a first division assistant with the Waqf Board.
The Waqf Board issued two cheques of Rs 4,00,45,465 to open fixed deposit accounts in the Vijaya Bank. However, instead of opening the accounts, the money was "siphoned off" by transferring to fictitious entities, the federal agency said in a statement.
It was found, the ED said, that Rs 4 crore was transferred to the account of a company named Verkeys Realities Pvt. Ltd., which spent Rs 1.10 crore in purchasing a Mercedes car while Rs 2,72,74,444 was transferred to another account.
The agency had attached assets worth more than Rs 3.82 crore in 2017 as part of this investigation and later in March that year it filed a chargesheet against six individuals and entities including Verkeys Realities.
This prosecution complaint was filed before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court located in Bengaluru.
In line with the PMLA and its "core objective" of ensuring the "restitution" of the proceeds of crime to the legitimate victims, the ED said no objections were raised by it when the additional sessions judge considered the release of the funds to the Karnataka State Waqf Board, the rightful claimant in this case.
The agency issued a banker's cheque of Rs 3,82,74,444 to the Wakf Board on July 1, which it said, was a "significant" step forward in the ED's ongoing mission to restore the misappropriated funds to those who have been wronged.
"This release underscores the ED's commitment to ensuring justice for victims of financial crimes. ED remains resolute in its dedication to combating money laundering and ensuring that the proceeds of crime are returned to their rightful owners," the agency said.
In a significant move to restore the Proceeds of Crime (POC) to the rightful claimants, vide Hon'ble Additional Sessions Judge order dated 1/7/2025 the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bengaluru Zonal Office, has by released properties valued at Rs. 3,82,74,444/- to Karnataka…
— ED (@dir_ed) July 8, 2025
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Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
