Prayagraj (UP): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is currently conducting searches at over twelve locations in Uttar Pradesh as a part of its investigation into a money laundering case against gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed, who is currently serving life imprisonment in the 2006 Umesh Pal kidnapping case, media reported.

The searches are being carried out in locations such as Phoolpur and Prayagraj, and are linked to the money laundering case that was filed against Ahmed earlier, resulting in the seizure of his assets, India Today reported.

The ED is conducting raids on persons who are linked to Atiq Ahmed.

The central probe agency is searching at the house of Atiq's lawyer, Khan Soulat Hanif, among a dozen other locations in Uttar Pradesh, the report said.

Atiq Ahmed, along with his lawyer Khan Soulat Hanif and Dinesh Pasi, was recently sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with the murder of Umesh Pal, the prime witness in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal.

Meanwhile, the gangster politician is being transferred from Sabarmati Jail to Prayagraj, with tight police security. He is being brought to Prayagraj under a production warrant after the court in the Umesh Pal case gave consent for his transfer.