Ever Since Modi Government took over, The Politics of this country has never shown a dull moment. Many illegal businesses have shut shops, corrupt people have been grilled, a process which is often described by the opposition as ‘Political Vendetta’. In the same series, an arrest which is ought to spark a controversy and send shivers down the spine of opposition is that of Moin Qureshi. Moin Qureshi is a leading meat exporter. Educated from The elite Doon School and St. Stephens College Delhi, Qureshi has a good rapport and contacts with the Who’s Who of India and impressive network of his Alumni Contacts. In 1993 Moin Qureshi started meat business in Rampur of Uttar Pradesh. And after that there was no looking back. But first let us discuss the latest developments.
On Saturday Moin Qureshi was arrested by Enforcement Directorate for allegedly laundering money from top ‘public servants’. He has been arrested under the provisions of the prevention of Money Laundering Act. ED complained about him not being so co-operative in the probe.
Hobnobbing with Ex-CBI Directors
It is alleged that Moin Qureshi used his contacts to get his work done. Ex. CBI Director A.P Singh is also arrested by CBI after his Diary was found to have records of Qureshi meeting him. Qureshi also had contacts with Ranjit Sinha, ex-CBI director and he met him 90 times over last 15 months. It is also said that Qureshi’s wife had also gone to meet Sinha.
Old Sins
Moin Qureshi has been questioned multiple times by the agency after 2 FIRs were registered against him. The past PMLA case against him was in 2015 bases on Income Tax Prosecution Complaint. ED had alleged that Qureshi had laundered a large amount of money through Hawala to London, Paris, Switzerland, Hongkong etc. on behalf of High Profile ‘Public-Servants’.
The evidence collected by IT Department in the form of BBM messages revealed that Qureshi collected a lot of money from influential people for undue favours from Investigation Agencies which he is said to have links with to get these people of the radar.
Qureshi also laundered crores of money from Hyderabad Businessman in lieu of undue favours. He is said to have connection with a lot of people from all the diaspora. There are many cases on Qureshi including Money Laundering, Corruption, Undisclosed assets. In 2011, he tried to hoodwink airport authorities. In short span of time Qureshi opened as many as 25 companies. All his bank accounts in Switzerland, South Africa, Dubai are under-scanner. He had flown in famous Pakistani Singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for his daughter Pernia’s wedding. It was later revealed after khan was detained on Delhi Airport with undisclosed cash.
Shashi Tharoor Angle
In last Lok Sabha Election campaign Modi has alleged that Moin Qureshi was being shielded because of his connection with Sonia Gandhi. In the latest investigation report by CBI, Moin Qureshi had contact with Shashi Tharoor’s deceased wife Sunanda Pushkar. This can give a proof to his alleged involvement in the murder of Pushkar.
Family Relations with Congress
Moin Qureshi has a good connection with the Indian National Congress. His Daughter Pernia was married to a Dubai based entrepreneur, who happens to a close relative of ex- UPA Minister Jitin Prasad.
He is also alleged to have business relations in Pakistan and is said to launder money through hawala, which may even prove his connection with ISI, Pakistan’s notorious Intelligence Agency. He is sent to ED’s custody by Judge Ankur Bharadwaj until August 31 till the money amount of money laundered which is up to 200 Crores and the money trail is brought up. If the cases against him are proved then the long talked of connection between ISI and 10 Janpath can also come in mainstream. After Rajya Sabha Elections this is going to be another headache for Ahmed Patel.
Moin Qureshi indeed is a big fish in the trap, whose grilling can lead to unmasking of many public servants, media tycoons, influential media persons and politicians. If he is held guilty then this will be another feather in the cap of Sonia and Rahul apart from Augusta Westland and National Herald.