Maha: ED attaches property of Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab in money laundering case

File Photo/PTI

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday seized the property "Sai Resort NX" constructed at Murud, Dapoli, Ratnagiri, falling under the Coastal Regulation Zone (No Development Zone). The property has been seized in connection with a money laundering probe against Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab, Sai Resort NX and others.

The ED's investigation was initiated based on a complaint filed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change against Anil Dattatray Parab, the then Minister in the Government of Maharashtra, M/s Sai Resort, M/s Sea Conch Resort and others. The complaint accused them of violating Section 19 and Section 15 r/w Section 7 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Subsequently, the Dapoli Police Station registered an FIR under various sections of the IPC, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The ED investigation revealed a conspiracy involving Anil Parab and his close associate Sadanand Kadam. They allegedly obtained illegal permission from the Revenue Department authorities of the State of Maharashtra through forgery and misdeclaration to construct a Twin Bungalow (Ground + 1 Floor) on agricultural land falling under the "No Development Zone." The duo then proceeded to build the illegal "Sai Resort NX" with Ground + 2 Floors, blatantly disregarding CRZ-III rules and regulations.

During the construction process, the permission for the twin bungalow was obtained under the name of the previous owner without his knowledge, even though the Revenue Department authorities were aware of the prohibition of construction on the said agricultural land. This permission was granted due to undue pressure and influence. Subsequently, the Gram Panchayat was deceived, misled, cheated and pressurized into transferring the land along with the building, in Anil Parab's name, thus legitimizing the illegal construction of "Sai Resort NX."

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Furthermore, Anil Parab reportedly used unaccounted money to fund the construction in cash before the registration of the land in his name, with the intention to conceal his identity as the real owner. This move was likely made to shift the responsibility to the previous owner if any violations came to light in the future. As the media scrutiny intensified regarding the illegal construction of Sai Resort NX, Anil Parab executed a benami transaction by selling the land on paper to Sadanand Kadam, aiming to hide the illegalities and irregularities associated with the construction within CRZ-III.

As part of the investigation under the PML Act, 2002, the ED provisionally attached assets worth ₹10.20 Crore, including land measuring approximately 42 Gunta at Gut Murud, Dapoli, Ratnagiri, valued at Rs. 2,73,91,000/-, and the Sai Resort NX valued at Rs. 7,46,47,000/-.

The Adjudicating Authority for PMLA confirmed the provisional attachment of these assets in an order dated June 1, 2023. Consequently, the ED arrested two individuals: Sadanand Kadam, a close associate of Anil Parab, and Jayram Deshpande, the then SDO, Dapoli. On May 6, 2023, the ED filed a Prosecution Complaint and the Special PMLA Court has taken cognizance and issued process against the accused persons.