In the on-going probe into violations in purchase of immovable properties in Goa by foreigners, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has so far confiscated 22 properties of such foreigners.
These properties include those of Russians, British and other nationals who had purchased immovable properties in Goa by violating provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
All these foreigners, including some of their Indian partners including companies have appealed before the appellate authority under FEMA, i.e., Special Director (Appeals).
Sources in the ED said here on Thursday that with a very high disposable rate, the ED has so far disposed off 120 cases in last nearly a year. Still 184 cases are under the scanner of the ED.
The ED is probing cases of prima facie violations of FEMA in land and property deals by foreigners in Goa during last some years. The cases were forwarded by the State government through Reserve Bank of India, for probe.
The issue of alleged violations of laws by foreigners in purchasing property in the State was taken up seriously by the State Government years back after it was raised by various political parties in
Legislative Assembly and citizens outside, particularly in the coastal areas of the State. Following a preliminary inquiry by the State Home Department, it was found that a majority of the cases of clandestine land and property deals by foreigners on tourist visa and those without proper documents have predominantly taken place in the State’s tourist coastal belt of north Goa.
The possibility of the Russian drug mafia also associated with the illegal land deals in Goa had added to the concern when the mention to this effect was found in a report of the National Security Council a few years ago.
