Questioning the timing of summoning senior Enforcement Directorate (ED) leader Praful Patel in a recent case, Congress leader Anand Sharma said on Tuesday that the ED has initiated action as elections are near. Talking to the media, Sharma said, "Elections are around, so the ED has summoned Praful Patel. This has never happened before. The law will take its course and the country should follow the laws enshrined in the Constitution".

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On Tuesday, officials said in their statement that the ED has summoned Patel in connection with the investigation of money laundering related to the alleged illegal property of the late Iqbal Mirchi, an associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Patel, a former Union Minister in the UPA regime, has been called to assist in the investigation in Mumbai on 18 October.

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According to media reports, the ED can record Patel's statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act regarding the deal between Mirchi's wife and a real estate company promoted by Patel. In August 2013, Iqbal Mirchi, a close aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, died of a heart attack. Mirchi, underworld don and accused in those serial blasts case along with 1993 Dawood Ibrahim accused in Mumbai blasts was also involved. Mirchi (63) has also been accused of drug smuggling in India.

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