Ahmedabad: Nearly 10 years after the murder of two BJP workers in Bharuch, a special court has ordered the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to attach the share of one of the accused in his ancestral properties — a total measuring less than 2 sq m.Mohammed Yunus, alias Manjro, was among those arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy and the murder of BJP workers Shirish Bengali and Pragnesh Mistry. The killings took place in Nov 2015, and the investigation was later handed over to the NIA. The accused were charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).In Dec 2024, the NIA filed an application in the special court seeking permission to attach Manjro’s properties under the provisions of Section 33(1) of the UAPA.Manjro’s share lies in two ancestral houses in Bharuch town — one measuring 143.96 sq m owned by 20 family members, and another measuring 29.59 sq m, also with 20 co-owners.His share in the two properties was calculated at 1.59 sq m and 0.33 sq m respectively, totalling just 1.92 sq m. The NIA submitted that these properties were liable to be seized for forfeiture proceedings in the case.Manjro’s lawyer objected to the application, questioning the agency’s move nearly a decade after the case began. He argued that the 2013 amendment to the UAPA allows attachment only of properties intended to be used for terrorism-related activities. He opposed the seizure of what he described as a “very minimal” share in the ancestral properties.After hearing arguments, Special Judge M P Purohit rejected the defence’s objections and stated in the order, “It is ordered that the share in the immovable properties of the accused Mohammad Yunus @ Manjro (A-4) — (i) Residential House, Ward No. 3, City Survey No. 3614, Bharuch City, having a total area of 143.96 sq m, and (ii) Residential House, Ward No. 3, City Survey No. 3615, Bharuch City, having a total area of 29.59 sq m — is hereby ordered to be attached till the final disposal of this case under the provisions of Section 33(1) of the UA(P) Act, 1967.“The court further directed: “The accused Mohammad Yunus @ Manjro shall not transfer his share in these properties to anyone by sale, mortgage, gift, or in any other manner until the trial is completed.”
