Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji Zonal Office, has carried out fresh search and seizure operations in connection with a high-profile Goa land grab case involving prime property at Caranzalem.
The searches were conducted on December 16 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, at residential and business premises linked to M/s Models Real Estate Developers and its partners
According to the ED, the investigation stems from an FIR registered by the Panaji Police and pertains to the alleged illegal acquisition of tenanted agricultural land bearing Chalta No. 44 (New 44A) of P.T. Sheet No. 162 at Caranzalem, belonging to the family of Tanu Gauns
Press Release Searches in Land
The agency has alleged that the accused, including officials of the Archdiocese of Goa and a then official of the City Survey Office, acted in connivance with late Peter Vaz, former partner of Models Real Estate Developers, to fraudulently manipulate revenue records. As per the ED, the lawful tenant’s name was illegally deleted from Form ‘B’ of the City Survey records using forged and fabricated documents, following which the property was unlawfully sold to the real estate firm
The land was subsequently developed into a residential project named Models Mystique, which, the ED claims, generated further proceeds of crime. During the searches at the Caranzalem residence of Diogo Nathan Vaz and Natalina Estela Vaz, as well as the firm’s registered office at Santa Inez, the agency seized incriminating documents, including a sale and purchase agreement dated February 2, 2007, and title deeds of a property in Dubai allegedly purchased by late Peter Vaz
Digital devices recovered during the operation reportedly revealed contacts of international investors, mainly from the UAE, and indicated alleged cash-based transactions. Documents establishing the lawful tenancy rights of Tanu Gauns and records related to the estimated construction cost of apartments on the disputed land were also seized. The ED stated that further investigation in the case is underway.
