Enforcement Directorate Searches Seven Sites Linked to Merlin Group

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted coordinated raids at seven locations across West Bengal on Wednesday as part of a money‑laundering investigation linked to the Merlin Group, a Kolkata‑based real estate firm, and its promoters. The actions were carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), officials said, reflecting heightened scrutiny of alleged financial irregularities ahead of the state’s upcoming assembly elections.

ED teams targeted properties associated with the firm and its directors, identified as Sushil Mohta and Saket Mohta, where searches were conducted to gather evidence connected to suspected laundering of proceeds from alleged unlawful activities. According to the federal probe agency, the promoters are suspected of fabricating a “false” title chain and using “forged” documents to claim ownership of land parcels, which were then commercially developed and sold to unwitting investors.

The agency’s action follows allegations that Merlin Group misled the public by representing itself as a legitimate landowner and induced substantial investments in large‑scale real estate projects. ED officials said the objective of the raids was to uncover documentary and digital evidence that could substantiate claims of money laundering and fraudulent property dealings. A response from the company and its promoters was not immediately available.

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The Merlin Group case adds to a series of high‑profile federal probes into alleged financial misconduct and money laundering involving corporate and real estate entities in India. Experts note that such enforcement actions are increasingly common as authorities seek to trace illicit financial flows and protect investors from deceptive schemes, particularly those involving complex property transactions.

Political observers said the timing of the raids — coming weeks before voting phases scheduled later this month — could intensify debate over the role of central investigative agencies in politically sensitive periods. While federal authorities maintain that their actions are driven by legal mandates rather than political considerations, such operations often draw scrutiny in election‑year contexts.

Legal specialists highlighted that the ED’s focus will now shift to analyzing evidence seized during the searches and presenting its findings in court under the PMLA framework. The outcome of the investigation could have implications for the real estate sector and broader enforcement efforts against financial crime in West Bengal and beyond, even as the probe continues.

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