ED Attaches Rs. 3.89 Crore Worth of Properties of Daman Liquor Mafia

Surat/Daman : The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached immovable properties valued at approximately Rs. 3.89 Crore in the case involving Suresh Jagubhai Patel, a prominent figure in the liquor trade, a former Daman district panchayat president, and a BJP leader. This action has been taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).

The ED’s attachment includes 23 immovable properties belonging to Pritiben Suresh Patel, the wife of Suresh Patel. These properties are believed to have been acquired through involvement in various criminal activities, including murder, extortion, corruption, and other scheduled offenses.

The investigation by the ED was initiated based on multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by the Daman Police, Gujarat Police, and Mumbai Police against Suresh Patel, also known as Sukha, and his associates. These FIRs encompass a range of charges, such as corruption, illegal possession of firearms, murder, extortion, and more.

Earlier this year, on June 19, 2023, the ED conducted a search operation at the residential premises of Suresh Patel and his associates. During the operation, the ED seized a substantial amount of cash totaling Rs. 1.34 Crore, as well as valuable jewelry and assets valued at Rs. 1.07 Crore. Additionally, the ED froze a balance of Rs. 20.90 lakhs in bank accounts. Notably, a cash amount of Rs. 22.68 lakhs was seized at the residence of one of Suresh Patel’s associates.

With this recent provisional attachment, the total value of movable and immovable properties seized or attached in connection with this case now stands at an impressive Rs. 6.73 Crore.