The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at Kolkata-based realty company Merlin Group and its promoters as part of a money laundering investigation. Around seven premises linked to the group and its promoters, Sushil Mohta and Saket Mohta, were raided under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The company has not officially commented on the situation.
The agency is scrutinizing the promoters and the company for allegedly creating a false chain of title with forged documents, leading to accusations of land grabbing. Further details on the raids are anticipated. These actions coincide with the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal.
According to the Enforcement Directorate, the accused individuals exploited the allegedly grabbed land by initiating large-scale real estate projects. They attracted investments from the public by presenting themselves as legitimate landowners using falsified documents. In a separate incident on April 1, the ED seized over Rs 1 crore in cash from a company executive’s residence in Behala.
Weapons were also discovered at the residence of businessman Biswajit Poddar in the Kasba area of Kolkata. ED officials have been conducting searches at various locations associated with Biswajit Poddar, suspected to be the mastermind behind the Kankulia violence. It is reported that Biswajit Poddar, also known as Sona Pappu, controls multiple syndicates in Kasba and Ballygunge.
Based on this information, the central investigation agency initiated the operation. Sources suggest that Sona Pappu allegedly withdrew substantial amounts from construction companies, with claims that the money reached influential figures. To probe these allegations, the central agency officials conducted searches at multiple locations, including Sona Pappu’s residence.
