Srinagar, June 15, KNT: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned several prominent hoteliers from the Gulmarg tourism sector under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in land transactions in the world-famous hill resort.
The hoteliers have been directed to appear before the agency and furnish a range of financial and property-related records.
According to the summons, the agency has sought details of bank accounts, movable and immovable assets, revenue records, lease deeds, income tax returns for the last five years and documents linked to applications filed under the erstwhile J&K Roshni Act.
The notices have reportedly been issued under Sections 50(2) and 50(3) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, empowering the agency to summon individuals, record statements and seek production of documents during the course of an investigation.
The Enforcement Directorate is reportedly examining whether alleged irregular transfers of prime land in Gulmarg resulted in unlawful financial gains that could fall within the ambit of proceeds of crime under the PMLA.
The agency has also cautioned the recipients that failure to appear or produce the required records may attract action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and other relevant legal provisions.
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Those summoned by the Enforcement Directorate include prominent hotel industry figures associated with several leading hospitality establishments in Gulmarg. The list includes Mushtaq Ahmad Ganai of the Grand Mumtaz and Radisson Group, Mushtaq Ahmad Burza and Manzoor Ahmad Burza of the ITC Group, Nazir Ahmad Mir of M&Co, Manzoor Ahmad Khan of Hotel Khalil Palace, Abdul Hamid Dar of Hotel Mama Palace, Syed Musadiq Shah of Hotel Royal Park, Ibrahim Khan of Kolahoi Greens and Sadaf Shah of Hotel Alpine Ridge.
The development marks a significant escalation in the investigation into land-related transactions in Gulmarg, one of Kashmir’s premier tourist destinations, where questions have been raised over ownership, transfers and utilization of valuable land parcels. [KNT]
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