Officials from the Enforcement Directorate are investigating potential ties of politically influential individuals from West Bengal in a case of illegal land grabbing and money laundering involving Merlin Projects Limited, led by Sushil Mohta and Saket Mohta. Trinamool Congress legislator Debasish Kumar, also a Kolkata Municipal Corporation Member-Mayor-in-Council, has been questioned in connection with the case.
Investigation sources suggest that politically influential figures may have been involved in the land grabbing and money laundering scheme, as indicated by the nature of the illegal activities. The Enforcement Directorate has seized incriminating digital devices and documents during extensive raids and searches, with ongoing investigations into financial transactions and roles of the individuals connected to the group.
The probe has uncovered that Sushil Mohta, Saket Mohta, and associated entities engaged in fabricating documents to fraudulently acquire various land parcels, including public land. These lands were then used for large-scale real estate projects, deceiving the public into investing significant amounts based on forged ownership claims.
Enforcement Directorate officials recently found over Rs 1 crore in cash at a company executive’s residence in Behala and unlicensed weapons at a businessman’s house in Kasba, Kolkata. Additionally, Rajendra Kumar Gangwal, the owner of Sumati Industrial Finance Limited, underwent extensive questioning at the agency’s Salt Lake Office regarding the same case.
