Crackdown on Alleged Political Corruption: ₹275 Crore Worth Properties of Former BSP MLC Haji Iqbal Face Attachment in Saharanpur
Saharanpur: In a major action highlighting growing concerns over alleged large-scale corruption involving influential political figures, the Saharanpur district administration has begun proceedings to attach 56 properties worth over ₹275.97 crore linked to former BSP MLC and history-sheeter Haji Iqbal alias Bala.
Officials confirmed on Wednesday that a Look-Out Circular (LOC) has been issued against Iqbal, who is currently absconding and is suspected to be in Dubai.
Attachment Under the Gangsters Act
Saharanpur District Magistrate Manish Bansal has ordered the attachment of the properties in connection with a 2022 case registered at Mirzapur police station under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act. The case names Iqbal and six others, including members of his family.
Behat Tehsildar Jitendra Kumar has been appointed as the administrator to oversee the attached properties.
The parcels — all located within the Saharanpur district — are now being formally recorded in revenue documents as attached assets. Officials stated that signboards will be installed at each site declaring the properties under government attachment, and the process is expected to conclude within two to three days.
Allegations of Organised Criminal Network
During the course of proceedings, authorities alleged that Iqbal operated an organised criminal syndicate with associates.
The group is accused of involvement in timber theft and smuggling from forest areas, illegal mining operations, land grabbing, and other unlawful activities.
Police claim the syndicate used financial muscle and intimidation tactics to fraudulently acquire government and private land. Between 2002 and 2015, the accused allegedly purchased residential properties, agricultural land, orchards, and other assets across the Saharanpur district.
Investigators further allege that these properties were not only registered in Iqbal’s name but also in the names of his sons, daughter, wife, dependents, domestic staff, associates, and numerous shell companies.
The funds used for these acquisitions are suspected to have originated from criminal proceeds.
Extensive Criminal Record
Police records indicate that since 1989, at least 52 criminal cases have been registered against Iqbal, with 41 cases currently pending in various courts.
The charges include forgery, criminal intimidation, dacoity, criminal conspiracy, and other serious offences. He has been booked twice under the Gangsters Act.
Separate investigations are also being conducted by central agencies, including the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Superintendent of Police Sagar Jain stated that properties worth ₹816.38 crore linked to the accused have already been attached in previous actions.
In October 2020, the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at locations connected to Iqbal and his associates following an FIR under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
According to the agency, more than 110 companies were incorporated by Iqbal and his family members, most of which were allegedly shell entities with minimal or no genuine business operations.
Wider Concerns Over Political Corruption
The case once again brings into focus persistent allegations of large-scale corruption and misuse of power by influential political figures.
Law enforcement officials maintain that sustained legal and financial scrutiny is essential to curb organised economic offences and restore public confidence in governance.
The proceedings in Saharanpur signal an aggressive administrative push to dismantle alleged criminal-financial networks operating under political patronage.
#HajiIqbal #Saharanpur #PoliticalCorruption #GangstersAct #ED #CBI #SFIO #MoneyLaundering #LandGrab #UttarPradesh
