PANAJI
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) Goa has provisionally attached immovable properties valued at Rs11.82 Crore, currently in possession of Estevan D’Souza, Moses Fernandes and Samir Korgaonkar who are charged with money laundering.
The trio are being investigated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA, 2002), related to the illegal acquisition of land in Goa.
Among the three involved in multiple land fraud cases, Fernandes is also involved in another property forgery case of Arjuna awardee of Goan origin Dr Otilia Mascarenhas. He was even arrested by the Porvorim police and released on bail several years ago.
As per information shared by the ED, its investigation began based on the First Information Report dated October 20, 2013, registered by Porvorim police and another FIR dated February 26, 2014, registered by the Economic Offenses Cell of Goa Police under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to the unlawful takeover of land/properties through the impersonation of the original property owner, thereby deceiving the buyers.
The ED's investigation revealed that the accused with the intent of illegally acquiring land, identified properties where the rightful owner had either passed away without legal heirs or the legal heirs were residing outside India.
Subsequently, the accused committed offenses punishable under Sections 419 (impersonation), 420 (cheating), and 471 (using forged documents as genuine) of the IPC.
"They executed sale deeds or irreversible power of attorney in their names, thereby unlawfully taking possession of these properties," it said.
In connection with these findings, the ED attached eight immovable properties valued at Rs. 11.82 Crore. The investigation is ongoing, with further inquiries being conducted to uncover additional details," the ED further said.
