In Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, the local administration has taken significant action by seizing 56 properties owned by notorious gangster Mohammed Iqbal, also known as Haji Iqbal or Bala. The total estimated value of these properties exceeds 275 crores. This seizure falls under Section 14(1) of the Gangster Act, and the District Magistrate, Manish Bansal, has issued the order for the action. The decision comes in light of numerous criminal activities associated with Iqbal.

The administration highlighted that there are approximately 50 registered cases against Mohammed Iqbal across various police stations. The investigations that began in 2022 while probing a case under the Gangster Act revealed the acquisition of illegal properties through activities such as smuggling of Khair wood from forest areas, illegal mining, and other criminal enterprises. Such substantial findings prompted the local government to act decisively against Iqbal and his criminal gang.

Moreover, the properties that have been seized are located in different villages and encompass agricultural land, plots, and other real estate. Investigations revealed that several of these properties were purchased under the names of the gangster, his relatives, associates, and even certain companies. The administration expressed that these acquisitions were made by utilizing influence and pressure to encroach on both government and private lands, showcasing a broader issue of crime and corruption in the region.