Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, August 26, 2025 – The Supreme Court has provided significant relief to the four sons of former BSP MLC Haji Iqbal, halting further arrests in multiple cases against them. The decision, announced on August 25, 2025, offers a reprieve to Wajid, Zeeshan, Alishan, and Javed, who are entangled in over 32 cases filed by the Uttar Pradesh police, primarily linked to allegations of illegal mining, fraud, gang rape, and extortion.
Haji Iqbal, a Saharanpur-based businessman and alleged mining mafia, has been a fugitive since 2022, reportedly living in Dubai. His sons, along with his brother Mehmood Ali, have been in jail for over a year on various charges, including a recent gang rape case filed in October 2024. The Supreme Court’s order, reported by ThePrint, ensures no new arrests in ongoing investigations, giving the family a chance to challenge the charges in court. However, the court did not quash the cases, meaning trials will continue.
The family’s legal troubles stem from accusations of amassing wealth through illegal means. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached properties worth over ₹4,400 crore, including Glocal University’s 121-acre campus and three sugar mills, alleging they were acquired through money laundering and illegal mining profits. In 2022, a gang rape case was filed against Iqbal, three of his sons, and Mehmood, based on a woman’s claim of assault over a land dispute. Another case in 2024 accused the sons and Mehmood of gang rape, with the complainant working as a maid at Glocal University.
The Supreme Court’s ruling has sparked debate. Some see it as a step toward justice, arguing the family has been unfairly targeted. Others, however, believe the family’s alleged crimes warrant strict punishment. The ED and CBI continue their probes, with Iqbal still absconding and his passport revoked since 2023.
This relief comes amid ongoing legal battles, including a 2025 conviction where Mehmood Ali was sentenced to 12 years for rape, and the sons received five years each under the POCSO Act. The family plans to appeal, claiming the charges are fabricated. As the investigations unfold, the Supreme Court’s decision offers temporary respite but leaves the family’s future uncertain.
