Kolkata/New Delhi, April 8 The Enforcement Directorate searched the premises of Kolkata-based realty company Merlin Group and its promoters on Wednesday as part of a money laundering investigation, officials said.
Approximately seven premises linked to the group and its promoters, Sushil Mohta and Saket Mohta, were raided under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said.
A response from the company regarding the searches is awaited.
The promoters and the company are under the scrutiny of the federal probe agency on charges of fabricating a "false" chain of title using "forged" documents, leading to allegations of land grabbing.
The action comes at a time when West Bengal is heading for elections, with two-phased voting scheduled for April 23 and April 29.
The ED alleged that the accused "exploited" the purportedly grabbed land commercially by launching "large-scale" real estate projects.
According to the agency, by projecting themselves as lawful owners using "forged" documents, the accused induced the public to invest "substantial" sums in their real estate projects.