ED Swoops on Fake Registry Scandal: Seizes Cash, Jewellery, and Documents

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized assets worth over Rs 1 crore, including cash and jewellery, during raids across five states in a fake registry and land fraud case. Digital devices and bank-related documents were also confiscated. The investigation targets fabricated property records and illegal claims to deceased individuals' assets.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has confiscated a trove of incriminating documents and assets valued at over Rs 1 crore. The seizures, made during raids at 17 locations across five states, include significant amounts of cash and jewellery related to a sprawling fake registry and land fraud scheme, the agency announced on Sunday.

According to the ED, the operations on August 30 were conducted under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, spanning Dehradun in Uttarakhand, Saharanpur and Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, Ludhiana in Punjab, Bongaigaon in Assam, and Delhi. Recoveries include Rs 24.50 lakh in cash, Rs 11.50 lakh frozen in bank accounts, and jewellery worth Rs 58.80 lakh. Additionally, digital devices such as mobile phones and pen drives, along with bank-related documents, were seized.

The raids stem from multiple FIRs filed by Uttarakhand Police against Kamal Virmani (Advocate) and others, alleging the creation of counterfeit property registration records in the Revenue Archives. Investigations revealed that the accused manipulated property documents, often transferring assets to deceased individuals' relatives. These fabrications were executed with the assistance of collaborators within the collector's and registrar's offices.