Scotland Yard passes MQM money-laundering file to CPS

Decision will be made on the future of MQM-related high profile money-laundering probe

LONDON: Scotland Yard has submitted a case file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) related money-laundering investigation for a decision on the next course of action.

A police spokesman told Geo News on Tuesday: “A case file has now been submitted to the CPS for a decision to be made as to whether there is sufficient evidence to support a prosecution at this time.”

When contacted by this scribe, criminal law expert and Supreme Court solicitor Shahid Khan said that the police conformation means that the full case has now been presented to the CPS which is considered as the police lawyers. “An investigating officer cannot make a charging decision; this decision has to be recommended by the CPS lawyers.” He explained: There are three options -- either the accused will be charged for money-laundering; the CPS will ask the police to investigate further and bring more evidence; or the CPS will say there is no reason to investigate this case any further.” 

Shahid Khan said that since all the accused in this investigation have gone for “no comment” there is high chance that charges will be brought unless the CPS is asked by “the state” to drop the case altogether. He said that “the state” can tell the CPS that “It’s in the national interest” to drop the case or block further investigation because of the “interests linked with the state policy.” 

The police spokesman said that the police officers have continued to work diligently on the money laundering investigation and thoroughly investigate all of the evidence that is connected with the case.

Around half a million pounds in cash were recovered from the MQM linked properties. When asked about the fate of this cash, the spokesman said: “Cash that was seized as part of this ongoing investigation has been retained by police, under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, pending further enquiries.” 

The spokesman said that the CPS is consulted on a regular basis during a major investigation.  Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Show on Geo News had revealed on 8th February that the police had failed to share the full evidence file with the CPS at any stage during the investigation till now. The police countered that the CPS is “consulted regularly” but didn’t deny Geo News exclusive that the full file has not been shared yet. The police had earlier that month announced they were dropping the bail conditions on the MQM leader Altaf Hussain, Muhammed Anwar, Tariq Mir, Sarfraz Merchant, Yasin Haji and Latif Jiwa.

Geo News had said failure of the UK police to share evidence with the CPS, gathered in their multi-million pound MQM-related money-laundering investigation has led to suspicions of political pressure to drop the case altogether. The Scotland Yard then said that it didn’t share the “full file of evidence” with the CPS lawyers.