ED Secures 7-Day Custody of Mohammed Saleem in High-Profile Money Laundering Case

A sessions court granted the Enforcement Directorate seven-day custody of Mohammed Saleem, brother of expelled DMK member Jaffer Sadiq, in a money laundering case. Saleem, involved in a narcotics-linked laundering scheme, allegedly used multiple firms to obscure illicit gains. The ED's probe revealed significant assets and cash deposits amassed by Saleem.

A sessions court in the city on Wednesday granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seven-day custody of Mohammed Saleem, brother of expelled DMK functionary Jaffer Sadiq, in a high-profile money laundering case.

Mohammed Saleem, when produced before Principal Sessions Judge S Alli, was asked if he had anything to say on the ED's petition seeking his custody. After considering his plea, the judge granted the agency seven-day custody and allowed family visitation on August 15 from 5 pm to 6.30 pm. Saleem, arrested on August 12 by the ED, was remanded to judicial custody till August 27, with the agency initially seeking 15-day custody for further investigation.

The ED termed Saleem's arrest significant, stating in an August 13 press release that he was implicated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Investigations revealed Saleem's involvement in laundering proceeds from the Jaffer Sadiq case, using multiple firms to mask the origins of these funds. The agency uncovered over Rs 8 crore in illicit cash deposits and traced investments in luxury assets, highlighting the disparity between his wealth and declared income.

(With inputs from agencies.)