The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sent a judicial request to the United Kingdom seeking information on assets related to late Iqbal Mirchi, said to be a close accomplice of underworld fugitive Dawood Ibrahim.
The Letter Rogatory has been sent through the External Affairs Ministry following clearance from the Home Ministry.
Memon Iqbal Mohammed alias Iqbal Mirchi was wanted by the Mumbai Police in a dozen cases of murder, attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, extortion and drug trafficking. However, he was not an accused in the 1993 serial bomb blasts.
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An Interpol red corner notice was issued against Mirchi in 1994. After the blasts, he fled to Dubai and from there he shifted base to London, where he passed away about two years ago.
The ED has initiated investigations into Mirchi’s dealings in India and abroad, including the U.K., Cyprus, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Turkey.
The Scotland Yard in April 1995 raided Mirchi’s house in the U.K. and arrested him on charges of drug trafficking and terrorism.
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Mirchi was again arrested in 2012 for allegedly threatening to kill his nephew Kadir Nadeem. However, the charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence and again, India could not initiate extradition proceedings against him.