Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Mar 13: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached three immovable properties valued at a total of Rs 6.27 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), in connection with an alleged land-grabbing-linked money laundering case involving Estevan D’Souza and others, officials said on Friday.

The action was carried out by the ED’s Panaji Zonal Office as part of its ongoing investigation into the fraudulent acquisition of land in Goa using forged documents and impersonation of original property owners.

The probe was initiated based on a First Information Report filed by the Goa Police and the Economic Offences Cell, Goa, under Indian Penal Code sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating, impersonation, and forgery.

Investigations revealed that Estevan D’Souza, along with associates including Moses Fernandes and Mohammed Suhail, allegedly conspired to seize multiple immovable properties in Goa. They are accused of impersonating genuine owners and using forged sale deeds, fake identity documents, and fraudulent powers of attorney to illegally transfer property ownership.

Officials said the accused also allegedly induced buyers to purchase these properties through fake sale deeds and agreements, collecting money from unsuspecting purchasers.

Earlier, the ED had attached assets worth Rs 11.82 crore and Rs 60.05 crore in the same case. With the latest attachment of Rs 6.27 crore, the total value of attached assets now stands at approximately Rs 78.14 crore.

A prosecution complaint has already been filed by the ED before the Special PMLA Court in Goa, which has taken cognizance of the matter. Investigations in the case are ongoing.