New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested one person in connection with the alleged cash-for-vote case, officials said on Wednesday. The arrested individual, Nagani Akram Mohammad Shafi, was caught at Ahmedabad Airport by immigration authorities while trying to escape to Dubai. A Look Out Circular had been issued against him.

The case started on November 7 when the Malegaon Chawani Police Station in Maharashtra’s Nashik filed a report about over ₹100 crores being suspiciously deposited into 14 newly opened accounts at Nashik Merchant Co-operative Bank (NAMCO Bank), Malegaon.

The report was based on a complaint by Jayes Lotan Misal, who alleged that Siraj Ahmed Mohammad Harun Memon and his associates used identity documents belonging to him, his brother Ganesh Misal, and others to create fake companies. 

These companies were then used to open bank accounts at NAMCO Bank.

Officials explained that, “These documents were collected by Siraj Ahmed in the guise of giving some financial benefit or job to the complainant and other such persons. It was also alleged in the said complaint that Siraj Ahmed also acquired new SIM cards in the name of such persons, which were linked with those bank accounts, for the purpose of taking control and operation of such accounts. These bank accounts were used to carry out huge financial transactions including circular transactions running into hundreds of crores and also to make term deposits from that money.”

According to the police, Siraj Ahmed acted on instructions from Nagani Akram Mohammad Shafi.

Officials said, “Shafi was one of the persons, on whose instructions, Siraj Ahmed opened the above 14 accounts, maintained with NAMCO Bank. These accounts were also operated by Siraj Ahmed, on the instructions of Nagani Akram, and the amount of ₹14 crore was also sent by Siraj Ahmed, through Hawala Channels, on his instructions only. Accordingly, based on further details collected by ED, Look Out Circular was issued against Nagani Akram Mohammad Shafi.”

(With agencies inputs)