**ED Conducts Raids in Goa’s Land-Grabbing Investigation**
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) executed search and seizure operations on Tuesday at the residential and business locations of Models Real Estate Developers and its associates in Panaji, Goa. This action falls under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and is part of an ongoing investigation into a significant land-grabbing case involving valuable land in Caranzalem.
The investigation was initiated following an FIR filed by the Panaji Police Station, which alleges a criminal conspiracy to illegally acquire tenanted agricultural land, specifically Chalta No 44 in Caranzalem, originally owned by the family of Tanu Gauns.
According to the ED, the inquiry has uncovered that the accused, which includes officials from the Archdiocese of Goa and a former official from the City Survey Office, allegedly colluded with the late Peter Vaz, a former partner of Models Real Estate Developers. The agency claims that revenue records were manipulated fraudulently as part of this conspiracy.
The ED reported that the lawful tenant’s name was unlawfully removed from Form ‘B’ of the city survey records using forged documents, facilitating the illegal sale of the disputed land to Models Real Estate Developers, represented by Peter Vaz. Subsequently, the partnership firm developed a residential project named ‘Models Mystique’ on this contested property, which the ED asserts resulted in the generation of illicit proceeds.
During the searches at the residences of Diogo Nathan Vaz and Natalina Estela Vaz in Caranzalem, as well as at the registered office of Models Real Estate Developers in Santa Inez, the ED seized incriminating evidence. This included a sale and purchase agreement dated February 2, 2007, and title deeds for a property in Dubai, allegedly acquired by Peter Vaz.
Additionally, the agency confiscated digital devices that reportedly contained contacts with international investors, primarily from the UAE, suggesting cash-based transactions. Documents affirming Tanu Gauns’ lawful tenancy rights over the disputed land and records related to the estimated construction costs of apartments built on the property were also recovered.
In conclusion, the ED’s ongoing investigation into this alleged land-grabbing case highlights the complexities of real estate transactions and the potential for fraudulent activities within the sector.
**FAQ**
**What is the focus of the ED’s investigation in Goa?**
The ED is investigating an alleged large-scale land-grabbing case involving Models Real Estate Developers and its partners, focusing on the illegal acquisition of tenanted agricultural land in Caranzalem.