The Enforcement Directorate (ED) logo.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Karwar: The Enforcement Directorate has seized Rs 1.41 crore in cash and 6.75 kg gold jewellery and bullion from the residence and bank lockers of Karwar Congress MLA Satish Krishna Sail and his family during the raids conducted on the premises of the legislature in Karwar, Goa and Mumbai on Aug 13 and 14.
The case pertains to the alleged illegal export of iron ore by a company allegedly linked to the legislator. The ED also raided other entities, including Ashapura Minechem, Shri Lal Mahal, Swastik Steels (Hosepet), ILC Industries, Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Minerals, under the provision of of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
Sail, along with the aforementioned companies, was convicted by the special court for MPs and MLAs in Bengaluru for illegal export of iron ore carried out by Shree Mallikarjun Shipping Pvt. Ltd, the ED said in a statement.
The ED investigation found that Sail, in collusion with other companies and Belekeri Port officials, had “illegally” exported iron ore fines weighing nearly 1.25 lakh metric tonnes between April 19, 2010 and June 10, 2010, the agency alleged.
The agency alleged that the total value of the illegal exports by the company owned by Sail was Rs 86.78 crore.
Along with Rs 1.14 crore cash and 6.75 kg gold, bank accounts of the accused companies, holding Rs 14.13 crore deposits, have also been frozen during the search operations.
Meanwhile, Bhatkal Congress MLA and minister Mankal Vaidya alleged politics of vengeance and vendetta behind the ED raids on Satish Sail. Sail is not well. He is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi. Hence, he could not visit his house during the ED raids. The raid on Congress MLA is an act of political vendetta done at the behest of the BJP,” Vaidya said.