ED raids Merlin Group properties in Bengal in money laundering probe; promoters Sushil, Saket Mohta under scanner
The Statesman | 9 April 2026
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at seven premises linked to Kolkata-based real estate firm Merlin Group and its promoters as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation. The action was carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The agency is probing the role of promoters Sushil Mohta and Saket Mohta in the money laundering case. Officials said the searches are aimed at gathering evidence related to alleged financial and property irregularities. The company has not yet responded to the searches.
Allegations of forgery and land grabbing
According to the ED, the company and its promoters are suspected of creating a false chain of land ownership using forged documents. These documents were allegedly used to claim control over land, leading to accusations of land grabbing.
The agency alleged that the land in question was commercially developed through large-scale real estate projects. By projecting themselves as lawful owners, the accused are said to have attracted significant investments from buyers.
Legal actions against Merlin Group in land disputes
Earlier in 2025, a PIL was filed over a land dispute in Kolkata’s Anandapur area, where the high-value Merlin Niyasa housing project, estimated at around Rs 600 crore, is under development. Petitioners, including DC Paul Group Construction Pvt Ltd and Adhira Commercial Pvt Ltd, alleged that former director Shanti Ranjan Paul and Merlin Group fraudulently entered into a joint development agreement (JDA) using forged documents and unauthorised approvals.
The petitioners alleged that Merlin Group knew or should have known that the former director had no authority to execute the agreement. They claimed the deal was the result of fraud and collusion.
In an order dated December 6, District Judge Subhradip Mitra of South 24 Parganas said a prima facie case had been made out. The court restrained the parties from acting on the JDA and the power of attorney granted to Merlin Group until January 7, 2026.
The group is also facing scrutiny in other developments. In August 2025, the Calcutta High Court ordered the demolition of a 26-storey building linked to the developer in New Town and directed criminal proceedings. The tower, promoted by Sushil Mohta (Merlin Group), Pradeep Sureka (Sureka Group), and Prakash Bachhawat (JB Group), was found to be built through fraud, collusion, and suppression of facts. The court said the 2015 revised plan violated multiple state laws, including the NKDA Act and Apartment Ownership Act. Over 233 flats and 269 car parks were affected. Families who were living there since 2020 had just one month to vacate, while promoters were asked to demolish the tower in two months or face action from NKDA.
Also, in September, the court issued notice on a plea seeking to stop construction at another project, Merlin Avana, in the Barisha area.