LONDON: British investigative agency Scotland Yard has on Thursday dropped all the charges against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief, citing a lack of sufficient evidence, reported Dunya News.
According to the details, the case was dropped upon the directions of crown prosecution. Sources told that the money-laundering cases against other MQM leaders Sarfraz Merchant and Muhammad Anwer have also been dropped.
It is pertinent to mention here that the money-laundering case against MQM founder had been initiated after a raid on his house in London on December 5, 2013. Later, he was arrested on the same charges on June 3, 2014 and released on bail on June 7 after initial investigation.
MQM leader Wasay Jalil tweeted, “We are thankful that Scotland Yard have decided to drop the money laundering case against Altaf Hussain.”
The police found £167,525.92 in the MQM’s offices in London and a further £289,785.32 in Mr Hussain’s home. A smaller sum — around £30,000 — was found in Mr Merchant’s home.
The MQM supremo was arrested in the case on June 3, 2014 by the London Metropolitan Police. However, Altaf was released four days later.
He was granted four bail-extensions during the investigations:July 2014 Dec 2014 April 2015 July 2015.
During their investigations, the London Metropolitan Police had discovered ‘a considerable amount of money’ during raids on Hussain’s residence and office in London.
