London police seek 3-month extension to hold cash seized from MQM chief's residence

London Metropolitan police sought on Wednesday three more months to hold on to cash it had seized from the Edgware residence of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain last year.

According to details, a hearing was held in the civil case of money-laundering at the West London Magistrates Court on Wednesday. The hearing was conducted behind closed doors.

There were reports that MQM leader Sarfraz Memon had appeared in the hearing, seeking time to furnish further evidence. However, the party in a statement denied that any of its members had been summoned.

Read: Money-laundering case: London Met police detains MQM chief

“No MQM personnel had been summoned to this hearing, nor did any of them seek a delay in appearance,” it said.

The Metropolitan police had seized a large amount of cash during raids on certain places relating to the MQM, including Altaf Hussain’s London residence.

Earlier in July, the Metropolitan Police in London had extended the bail of MQM chief Altaf Hussain in the money-laundering case till October 5, 2015.

Read: Money-laundering case: Altaf Hussain's bail extended till October 5

Altaf had been detained from his house in northwest London on June 3, 2014, for alleged money laundering. He was held over night at a local hospital in police custody, before being released on bail later.

The bail issued in July was the fourth extension granted to Altaf after his arrest, suggesting that police have yet to gather enough evidence to formally charge him.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2015.