The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji Zonal Office, has opened a series of local search and seizure missions in the homes and business places of the leading real estate firm in Goa, in reaction to an investigation of the alleged land grabbing case at Caranzalem. The game-changing installment was made on December 16 under the articles of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, as per the official communiqué of the central agency.
In the wake of accusations of the illegal purchase and monetisation of prime agricultural land at Caranzalem village in Tiswadi taluka, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out searches at the offices of M/s Models Real Estate Developers and its partners. The land in question is recorded as Chalta No. 44 (New No. 44A) of P.T. Sheet No. 162, which was reportedly under lawful tenancy for several decades.
The police FIR leads the investigation
ED officers made it clear that the current probe is based on a police report filed at the Panaji Police Station. The FIR had highlighted the offences leading to the formation of a criminal conspiracy, forgery, and manipulation of land records, which involve private persons and government employees. It alleges that these have conspired to commit these crimes, forged documents, and altered land records in the areas to commit illegal acts that involve private persons and government officials.
According to the ED, the inquiry revealed a coordinated effort by several accused persons, including officials from the Archdiocese of Goa and a former officer of the City Survey Office, who allegedly acted in collusion with late Peter Vaz, a former partner of the real estate firm. The agency claims that this group conspired to alter official land records to facilitate the illegal transfer of ownership.
Alleged Manipulation of Survey Records
As per the findings shared by the enforcement agency, the lawful tenant’s name was allegedly removed from Form ‘B’ of the City Survey records through the use of fabricated and forged documents. This manipulation is said to have paved the way for the disputed land to be sold to the developer, despite existing tenancy rights.
An ED official familiar with the investigation said the case highlights “systematic abuse of official processes to dispossess rightful occupants and convert agricultural land into commercially lucrative assets.”
After the transaction that was contested, the land was transformed into a residential housing project called "Models Mystique." According to the allegations in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case, the building and the follow-up sale of the apartments in the area have led to high money being generated, which are now being carefully examined as possible they were obtained from crime under PMLA.
The local body stated that the fiscal trail associated with the scheme is the most important element of the money laundering probe, especially in finding out the manner in which the money was layered and invested.
During the time of the searches, the Enforcement Directorate teams performed raids at the homes of Diogo Nathan Vaz and Natalina Estela Vaz at Caranzalem, and also at the office of the company which is at Santa Inez, Panaji. It was confirmed by the officials that a good number of incriminating documents and digital materials were taken in the seizures.
Among the recovered items was a sale and purchase agreement dated February 2, 2007, along with property ownership documents relating to real estate in Dubai, UAE, allegedly acquired by late Peter Vaz. The agency is examining whether overseas assets were purchased using funds linked to the disputed land transaction.
Additionally, digital devices seized during the raids reportedly contain contact details of foreign investors, particularly from the UAE. Investigators believe these records may indicate cash-based dealings and unreported financial transactions.
Tenancy Records Also Recovered
The ED also added that during the searches documents were found which confirm that Tanu Gauns' family, the original residents of the land, have lawful tenancy rights. Records concerning the estimated cost of building the residential apartments were also collected, which will be used to determine the extent of the alleged financial irregularities.
The enforcement agency has mentioned that their investigation is not yet complete and they will decide their next move after looking through the seized materials and financial records. The officials have expressed that as the investigation deepens, they may carry out more search operations, place more property under attachment, and issue more summons.
The instance has become a matter of renewed public debate, among other things, about which have been the deeply-rooted issues of lands ownership disputes, forgery of records, and use of real estate for laundering money in Goa, especially in the most valuable coastal and urban areas.
Image source- enforcementdirectorate.gov.in
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