ED seizes jewels worth Rs 3 crore from Atiq aide properties

LUCKNOW: The Enforcement Directorate seized jewellery worth Rs 3 crore and Rs 10 lakh cash during searches on four premises of a Prayagraj-based builder, Amit Goyal, an associate of slain gangster Atiq Ahmed, on Wednesday.

ED officials said they came across documents which suggested that 50 shell companies were floated by the associates of Atiq to channelize money made by the gangster through criminal acts.

The searches culminated late in the evening with teams seizing cash, jewellery and incriminating documents, sources said.

Sources added that the searches commenced from a property belonging to chartered accountant Neeraj Prakash in Prayagraj. Thereafter, four premises of builder Amit Goyal were searched.

ED sources said that during investigation, it was revealed that by indulging in criminal activities since 1989 and by usurping government and other people’s properties, Atiq had amassed huge property in his own name and in the name of his family members and associates.