Notorious Surat Criminal Sajju Kothari Under IT Scanner for amassing benami properties

SURAT,GUJARAT : In a significant development, the Income Tax Department (IT) has intensified its investigation against Surat’s notorious criminal, Sajju Kothari, for alleged possession of disproportionate income and benami properties across the city. This action comes on the heels of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) investigation that led to the seizure of 31 properties linked to Kothari.

The IT Department is scrutinizing the source of income used to acquire these properties. The department suspects that a significant portion of this wealth might be benami, meaning properties purchased in the name of others using unaccounted funds. The investigation aims to determine the extent of benami holdings and the source of money used for their purchase.

Extortion, Murder, and Illicit Activities: The Alleged Source of Kothari’s Wealth

According to reports, Kothari is suspected to have amassed wealth through illegal activities like extortion, murder, kidnapping, rioting, and loot. The IT Department also suspects that a portion of his income comes from operating gambling dens.

The Benami Act empowers the IT Department to take action against individuals who hold properties in the name of others using their own illicitly earned money. This Act provisions can lead to property confiscation and imprisonment of up to seven years.

ED Action Paves the Way for IT Department Scrutiny

On March 27th, the ED seized properties worth Rs 4.29 crore belonging to Kothari, his family members, and associates. This action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Surat Police have registered several cases against Kothari for crimes like extortion, murder, kidnapping, rioting, and gambling. He was previously arrested under the Land Grabbing Act and later booked under the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organized Crime Act (GUJCTOC). These cases likely served as the basis for the ED’s investigation, which has now paved the way for the IT Department’s scrutiny.

Further Revelations Expected

With both the ED and IT Department actively investigating Kothari’s financial dealings, further revelations regarding the extent of his alleged illegal activities and ill-gotten wealth are expected. This development is a significant blow to Kothari and could potentially lead to his prosecution under various criminal and financial laws.