May 3, 2011, 12.24am IST

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Case-against-Ali-for-stealing-Nizams-antiques/articleshow/8147436.cms

MUMBAI: Andhra Pradesh police have registered a case against alleged money-launderer Hasan Ali Khan for stealing antiques of the Nizam's family. Officials said some people linked to the management of the Salarjung Museum were also named accused in the FIR registered on Sunday.

Sources said Ali admitted to the theft during interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate officials here. ED is investigating a case of money laundering against Ali suspected to have $8 billion in his Swiss bank accounts.

Sources said Ali sent these antiques abroad but the value of the antiques is yet to be established, a senior official said. ED wrote to the AP police asking to investigate Ali's admission to antiques theft. Central Crime Station at Hyderabad investigated and registered the case, an official said.

Ali is believed to have smuggled the antiques abroad between late 1990s and early 2000, sources said. Officials said Ali met one Hassan Suleman Baig in Hyderabad who claimed to have the power of attorney of the Nizam's famous jewellery. The rights were later transferred to Ali who sold some jewellery to Singapore-based businessmen. "From Hyderabad he shifted to Pune and got involved in betting on horses. Last 25 years, he was into money laundering. Investigations are on," an official said.

"The antiques were kept in Salarjung museum and could not have been stolen without the help of some people who had access. This is under investigation," an official said. Police have also registered a case under Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972, meant to prevent smuggling of artifacts. Ali in the past had claimed that he was related to the Nizam.