Author: Mid Day Correspondent
Publication: Mid-Day
Date: September 5, 2008
URL: http://www.mid-day.com/news/2008/sep/050908-underworld-don-Dawood-Ibrahim-CBI.htm
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
has given evidence to a British probe agency against an alleged frontman of
underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, which may result in freezing of Rs 50 crores
of the latter's assets. The British agency had sought the CBI's help in the
case.
The CBI sources stated that the National Terrorist
Financial Investigation Unit of New Scotland Yard began investigations against
Salim Mohammed Ghaus Sheikh's bank account in Citibank, following a "suspicious
account" report given by the bank.
The British agency came to know about Ghous'
involvement in the Gutkha case being probed by the CBI through newspaper reports.
The Citibank had reported to the British authorities
about suspicious transaction of Rs 19 crore by Ghaus. After the report, the
UK Investigation Unit of the New Scotland yard police immediately approached
the CBI.
The Serious Organised Crime Agency of the
UK had recently sought assistance from the CBI to institute civil proceedings
against Ghaus in the UK High Court to confiscate his financial assets to the
tune of Rs 21.3 crore and Rs 12.6 crore.
"The request of the UK agencies for assistance
was examined by the CBI and government. Subsequently, the government, in accordance
with the Mutual Legal Agreement Treaty, accorded the necessary sanction and
the CBI provided the necessary documents to UK agencies to institute their
civil proceedings to deprive the organised crime syndicate of Dawood of his
assets held in the name of his front man Ghaus in the United Kingdom,"
a senior CBI official said.
