NEW DELHI, Dec 23: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Lucknow Zonal Office, today said it has filed a prosecution complaint seeking confiscation of properties worth Rs 45.92 lakh and conviction of the accused, Dr Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, Louise Khurshid, wife of Congress leader Salman Khurshid, and Mohammad Athar, in an alleged money laundering offence related to the misuse of government funds.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
The case pertains to the alleged diversion of funds meant for the distribution of artificial limbs and equipment by the trust for personal gain. The court has taken cognizance of the chargesheet.
The ED initiated its investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on 17 FIRs registered by the Uttar Pradesh Police’s Economic Offences Wing against Pratyush Shukla, a representative of Dr Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, and others.
The police have filed chargesheets in all 17 cases against Athar Farooqui, alias Mohammad Athar, the then secretary of the trust, and the then project director, Louise Khurshid.
The ED investigation revealed that a grant-in-aid of Rs 71.50 lakh received by the trust was not utilised for holding camps as sanctioned by the Central government. Instead, the funds were allegedly diverted by Pratyush Shukla, Mohammad Athar, and Louise Khurshid for the benefit of the Trust and for their personal gain.
Earlier, the ED had provisionally attached 15 immovable properties worth Rs 29.51 lakh, in the form of agricultural land in Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh, along with Rs 16.41 lakh lying in four bank accounts linked to the trust. (UNI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
