Former Congress MLA Baba Siddiqui under ED scanner over links with underworld

Congress MLA Baba Siddiqui has denied all the allegations of financial irregularities and violation of floor to space index (FSI) rules against him in his first statement to the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Siddiqui was grilled for at least nine hours by ED officials on June 9 after he was summoned in connection with the money laundering case.

Sources from the ED said that Siddiqui was interrogated about his involvement in Rs 500 crore SRA scam and also his affiliation with Satra Group with whom he allegedly had a profit-sharing business deal.

Satra Group had constructed a high-rise building on SRA plot facing the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

"Siddiqui refuted allegations levelled against him. He said that he had no links with Pyramid Developers and Pioneer India. He also claimed that he is not linked with Satra group for its residential project in Bandra," the ED source said.

However, the agency is confident as they have a strong case against Siddiqui, who as the alleged mastermind behind the SRA scam. "We have enough evidence to prove that Siddiqui is the hidden face of Pyramid Developer and partner of Satra Group," an official said.

The official also confirmed that directors of Satra Group have also been summoned for further investigation by ED.

LINKS WITH UNDERWORLD

Apart from the SRA scam, sources have told India Today that Siddiqui is also being probed for his alleged links with the underworld. The ED is also investigating involvement of Siddiqui in 'terror-funding' and 'anti-national activities'. He is allegedly close to the Dawood Ibrahim's gang.

"As of now, an enforcement case investigation report (ECIR) has been filed against Siddiqui and others in a SRA case under PMLA. But, our probe is beyond this case. We are also looking into Siddiqui's links with underworld. Once we get substantial evidence against Siddiqui on this front, we would definitely take required action against him," a source from the ED said.

In 2013, Mumbai Police had arrested a gangster Ahmed Langda and a businessman Shams Sayyed under MCOCA for allegedly threatening Siddiqui, over a property dispute. He was also threatened by Chota Shakeel, brother of Dawood Ibrahim.

In his written complaint to Mumbai Police, Siddiqui said Sayyed used his underworld connections to resolve a property dispute, located at Hill Road, Bandra. Siddiqui had an agreement with Sayyed to develop the property in partnership, but later, Sayyed disagreed on certain conditions, leading to a dispute.

According to the complaint, Ahmed Langda sent threatening messages from Shakeel to Siddiqui, with a warning to settle the dispute amicably with Sayyed. As reported, Shakeel had sent a text message to Siddiqui saying, "You settle the matter peacefully or Ram Gopal Varma will soon be making a film on you - Ek Tha MLA".

Later, Siddiqui approached Mumbai police, lodged a written complaint and got both of them Ahmed Langda and Shams Sayyed arrested. "It is true that on the complaint of Siddiqui, two persons were arrested under MCOCA. But whether he is linked with terror fund or not, Mumbai police have no idea about it," top police official told India Today.

ON THE OPPOSITE ENDS

If sources from the underworld are to be believed then earlier, Siddiqui and Shakeel were on opposite ends.

"A third person named Bhillal Bhai (Bandrawale) played a role of mediator to bring them together. Things were sorted and later, Siddiqui with the financial support of Shakeel constructed a huge mall on that disputed plot, which is worth about Rs 200 crore.

"Few years back, there was a situation, when every single apartment or building in Bandra was sold with the permission of Siddiqui and Bhillal Bhai. Underworld did not liked it. Chota Shakeel with his goons entered into real estate market at Bandra to crack some property deals. But it did not happen, hence, there was always a conflict between goons of Shakeel and Siddiqui," said a source. Situation was so grim that Siddiqui became the target of underworld.

"He could have been shot at any time. But Bhilal Bhai, close confidant and friend of Siddiqui played the crucial role to settle the tussle between Siddiqui and CS. It was during Ramadan. Both parties decided to remain into business, without hurting each other." The enforcement directorate is expected to summon Baba Siddiqui again within next two weeks for further interrogation. Despite various attempts, Siddiqui remained unavailable to reply queries of India Today.

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