ED Raids Real Estate Developers in Goa Over Land Grabbing Case

Digital Goa, Dec 17 – The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji Zonal Office, on December 16 carried out search and seizure operations at the residential and business premises of M/s Models Real Estate Developers and its partners in Panaji, Goa. The action was taken in connection with an alleged land grabbing case at Caranzalem under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, as stated in a press release by the ED.

The searches form part of an ongoing PMLA investigation into the alleged illegal acquisition of prime tenanted agricultural land bearing Chalta No. 44 (New 44A) of P.T. Sheet No. 162 at Caranzalem, belonging to the family of Tanu Gauns. The ED initiated the probe based on an FIR registered by the Panaji Police Station.

According to the ED's investigation, the accused persons, including officials of the Archdiocese of Goa and the then official of the City Survey Office, conspired with Late Peter Vaz, a former partner of M/s Models Real Estate Developers, to fraudulently manipulate revenue records. As part of this alleged conspiracy, the name of the lawful tenant was illegally deleted from Form ‘B’ of the City Survey records using forged and fabricated documents.

The disputed property was subsequently sold to M/s Models Real Estate Developers, represented by late Peter Vaz, following which a residential project, “Models Mystique,” was developed on the land, allegedly generating further proceeds of crime, said the ED.

During searches at the residences of Diogo Nathan Vaz and Natalina Estela Vaz at Caranzalem and at the registered office of the firm at Santa Inez, the ED seized incriminating material, including a sale and purchase agreement dated February 2, 2007, and title deeds of a property in Dubai, UAE, purchased by late Peter Vaz. The ED also seized digital devices which reportedly contain contacts of international investors, mainly from the UAE, allegedly indicating cash-based transactions. Documents establishing the lawful tenancy rights of Tanu Gauns and records relating to the estimated cost of construction of apartments on the disputed land were also recovered.

The ED's actions highlight the ongoing efforts to combat land grabbing and money laundering in the region. This case underscores the importance of stringent regulatory measures and thorough investigations to protect the rights of lawful landowners and maintain the integrity of property transactions in Goa.