The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken significant action against journalist Mahesh Langa by attaching his residential property in Ahmedabad under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency claims the flat was purchased using illegal funds obtained through criminal activities.
Property Details and Allegations
According to official documents, the attached property is a residential flat located in Shilp Rang-A, part of the Shilp Township project in Ahmedabad's Motera area. The ED has placed a provisional attachment order on this property, valuing it at approximately ₹1.1 crore.
The investigation stems from a money laundering case linked to an earlier FIR filed by the Ahmedabad Police. The central agency alleges that Mahesh Langa acquired this property using proceeds generated from criminal activities, though specific details about the nature of these alleged crimes remain under investigation.
Legal Framework and Investigation Status
The ED action falls under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, which empowers the agency to temporarily seize properties suspected to be purchased with illegally obtained money. This provisional attachment is typically valid for 180 days, during which the ED must either file a chargesheet or return the property.
Mahesh Langa, who works as a correspondent for The Hindu newspaper, now faces serious legal challenges. The ED has been conducting a thorough probe into the financial transactions and property acquisitions linked to the journalist. The agency maintains that their investigation revealed clear evidence of the flat being purchased through illicit funds.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
This case marks another instance where the Enforcement Directorate has targeted individuals associated with media professions under money laundering charges. The attachment of Langa's property represents a significant escalation in the ongoing investigation.
The ED has confirmed that their investigation into the matter continues, suggesting that additional developments or actions might follow. Legal experts indicate that Langa will have the opportunity to challenge the attachment order through appropriate legal channels.
This development has drawn attention to the broader issue of property acquisitions and financial transactions by professionals across various sectors, with enforcement agencies increasingly scrutinizing unusual financial activities and property purchases that appear disproportionate to known income sources.
