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.
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.
The government authorities have been asked to file their responses on affidavit within four weeks.
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.
