Former U.P. MLC declared a fugitive economic offender

A special court has declared former Member of Legislative Council (MLC) in Uttar Pradesh, Mohammed Iqbal, a fugitive economic offender and ordered confiscation of the attached properties worth ₹995.75 crore, on an application filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He is currently said to be in the United Arab Emirates.

The Lucknow court issued the order on March 31, designating Mr. Iqbal under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.

The ED had initiated its probe in June 2019 based on a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), alleging that Mr. Iqbal and his associates fraudulently acquired multiple sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh through a manipulated disinvestment process.

“During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that Mr. Iqbal deliberately evaded the investigation, failed to appear despite issuance of summonses, and ultimately absconded from India and is currently residing in Dubai. Despite the issuance of a non-bailable warrant, Mr. Iqbal refused to return to India to face criminal proceedings,” said the agency on Wednesday (April 1, 2026).