Earlier on Friday, the ED carried out coordinated searches at multiple locations linked to the Merlin Group across Kolkata. The operations, conducted under the PMLA, targeted key offices and residential premises associated with the real estate firm.
Sushil Mohta and his son Saket Mohta, promoters of the Merlin Group, along with others, are accused of fraud, forgery, organised criminal activity, and criminal conspiracy.
According to a senior ED official, who requested anonymity, the investigation indicates that Sushil Mohta, Saket Mohta and others created false documentation to secure ownership of multiple land parcels.
It is learnt that the action followed receipt of a complaint of money laundering in February, wherein it was stated that Mohta, his son, Saket Mohta, directors and senior officials including Dilip Chaudhary, Vikash Memani, Saurav Majumdar and Ranjan Chakraborty, along with several others were involved in the matter.
According to ED officials, the accused allegedly fabricated a "false chain of title" using "forged documents" to claim ownership over land parcels.
According to the ED, the company and its promoters are suspected of creating a false chain of land ownership using forged documents. These documents were allegedly used to claim control over land, leading to accusations of land grabbing.
Merlin Niyasa comprises more than 150 high-end apartments priced at between Rs 3.8 crore and Rs 4.8 crore and is said to be located off the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, and is located close to Ruby Hospital and Taj Vivanta hotel.
All pending and upcoming projects, but especially those of the Merlin group of Sushil Mohta, the Surekha group of Pradeep Sureka and the JB group of Prakash Bachhawat, in the New Town-Rajarhat area will be subjected to intense scrutiny, say officials involved in sanction of buildings in the area.
A Division Bench of Calcutta High Court rejected virtually all arguments in mitigation advanced by the promoter of Elita Garden Vista, while holding that a 16th tower constructed illegally in its New Town project must be demolished.
