ED files fresh FIR against Afroz Fatta

The Enforcement Directorate has filed a fresh FIR against Afroz Fatta, who was arrested last month in Surat in connection with an alleged hawala racket to the tune of RS.700 crore, on money laundering charges.

Sources said Fatta, who was summoned by the ED, appeared before officials in Surat yesterday. He has again been called later for further investigations. They said the Surat-based trader has not been cooperative in the investigations and no clean chit has been given to him by the ED.Fatta was arrested in Surat on Mar 21 on the charge of transferring money outside India on fake bills of importing diamonds.

Earlier, the ED had registered a case under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Now another FIR has been filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. On Monday, the Congress had released a photo of Fatta with BJP's PM candidate Narendera Modi and alleged a nexus between the two. The BJP rejected any links between them and hit back by circulating a photograph of Fatta with Congress MP Mohd Azharuddin.