ED to probe politicians, banks in IMA Ponzi case
The agency is probing the role of several state level politicians in connection with the scam, they added.
New Delhi: After issuing summons to Karnataka food and civil supplies and wakf department minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan for questioning in connection with its money laundering probe into the alleged IMA group ponzi scam in the state, the central probe agency is also preparing to interrogate several other state level politicians as part of its investigation into the matter.
Sources said, “Apart from questioning certain state-level politicians, the agency will also seek clarifications from certain banks where Mohammed Mansoor Khan, prime accused in the case, had deposited huge cash, collected from the depositors”.
The agency is probing the role of several state level politicians in connection with the scam, they added.
While the minister has denied any business dealings with the group or its absconding main promoter Mohammed Mansoor Khan, except sale of a Bengaluru-based property, the agency wants to question Zameer Khan about his links with the company and its operations, sources said.
The ED on Friday attached assets worth Rs 209 crore, including 20 immovable properties and bank deposits, in connection with the ponzi scam of Karnataka.
Thousands of depositors are said to have been duped in alleged scam.
The ED had recently filed a criminal case of money laundering against the IMA group of companies and Mansoor Khan (also the managing director of the group) after reports emerged that he has gone underground fearing investments worth crores of about 40,000 investors have tanked.
While Rs 98 lakh was found deposited in 51 bank accounts of the accused firm, Rs 11 crore was kept in a HDFC bank account, operational under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna (PMGKY), the had ED said.