UP Police Seize Rs 100-Crore Mill in Maharashtra, Expanding Anti-Mafia Drive

In a first-of-its-kind action under the Gangsters Act, the Uttar Pradesh Police have attached a property valued at approximately Rs 100 crore outside the state. The seized asset, a dal mill in Maharashtra's Dharashiv district, is alleged to have been acquired using proceeds of crime linked to jailed former Uttar Pradesh MLA Vijay Mishra.

The attachment of Lalli Agro Industries in Jakekur village marks a significant expansion of Uttar Pradesh's anti-mafia operations beyond its borders. With this action, the total value of assets seized in connection with Mishra and his alleged criminal network has risen to around Rs 241.5 crore, according to police records.

Mishra, a four-time MLA from Bhadohi's Gyanpur constituency, has been lodged in Agra Central Jail since 2020. He is facing trial in several cases, including the 2010 bomb attack on Uttar Pradesh minister Nand Gopal Gupta, in which a journalist was killed.

Police officials stated that the mill had been operational for nearly 15 years and was built using illegally earned money by Mishra, his wife Ram Lali, son Vishnu, and other alleged members of his gang. The property was attached after obtaining required legal approvals and coordinating with authorities in Maharashtra. Bhadohi police secured permission from the local district administration before serving the attachment order, with assistance from local officials.

Bhadohi Superintendent of Police Abhinav Tyagi said the action was part of efforts to dismantle assets allegedly acquired through organised crime. Police further alleged that the mill was established by Mishra's son-in-law, Mukesh Tiwari.

Mishra, who won the Gyanpur seat on Samajwadi Party tickets in 2002, 2007, and 2012, and on a NISHAD Party ticket in 2017, has 87 criminal cases registered against him. He has been convicted in seven cases, with several others pending. In May this year, a Bhadohi court sentenced him to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment for forcibly usurping a relative's property. His wife and son also received 10-year sentences, while his daughter-in-law was sentenced to four years and later granted bail.

Mishra also faces trial in connection with the 2010 attack on minister Nand Gopal Gupta. The bomb blast, triggered by a remote-controlled device attached to a moped, killed two people, including a senior journalist, and injured four others. Police have chargesheeted 16 accused in the case, including Mishra and his relative Dileep.