Ahmedabad: An individual named Nagani Akram Mohammad Shafi was arrested today at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport by the Immigration Authority. The arrest was based on a lookout circular (LOC) against Shafi by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to a ‘cash-for-votes’ case in Maharashtra. Shafi was allegedly attempting to flee to Dubai before being apprehended by the authorities.

Last week, the central agency conducted searches at 24 locations in Maharashtra and Gujarat related to the case involving Malegaon-based trader Siraj Ahmed Harun Meman. Meman is accused of misusing multiple bank accounts to facilitate transactions exceeding Rs 100 crore.

The money laundering investigation stems from a Malegaon police FIR filed on November 7 against Meman, who runs a tea and cold drinks business, and several of his associates. The complainant in the case alleges that his bank account was illegally used for transactions, raising suspicions that these accounts were exploited to channel election-related funds.

It is learned that Shafi was one of the individuals who instructed Meman to open multiple bank accounts and allegedly transfer Rs 14 crore through hawala. DeshGujarat