<p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Enforcement Directorate — Indian law‑enforcement agency that investigates economic crimes, especially money‑laundering, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (GS2: Polity)">ED</span> launched coordinated search operations on <strong>14 May 2026</strong> against a syndicate accused of forging documents and impersonating officials to sell prime properties of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Spiritual Regeneration Movement Foundation of India — a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, linked to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s teachings; it holds extensive immovable assets across several states (GS1: History, GS2: Polity)">SRMF</span>. The alleged fraud involves land transactions valued at several hundred crores.</p>
<h3>Key Developments</h3>
<ul>
<li>Searches were conducted at the residences of alleged masterminds <strong>G. Ram Chandra Mohan</strong> and <strong>Akash Malviya</strong> in Delhi’s Narayan Vihar, and at a associate’s premises in Burari.</li>
<li>Additional raids targeted <span class="key-term" data-definition="Singhvahini Infra Projects Private Limited — a private construction firm implicated as a buyer in the fraudulent land deals (GS3: Economy)">Singhvahini Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd.</span> in Noida’s Sector 100 and the home of its associate <strong>Pradeep Singh</strong> in Sector 105.</li>
<li>Investigations are being pursued under the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Prevention of Money Laundering Act — legislation that criminalises money‑laundering and empowers agencies like the ED to attach and confiscate proceeds of crime (GS3: Economy)">PMLA</span>, with the probe initiated on <strong>7 May 2026</strong>.</li>
<li>At least seven <span class="key-term" data-definition="First Information Report — the initial police complaint that triggers a criminal investigation in India (GS2: Polity)">FIRs</span> have been lodged across Noida (U.P.), Dhar and Shajapur (M.P.), and Bilaspur (C.G.).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Facts</h3>
<ul>
<li>The syndicate allegedly used forged authority letters, fabricated resolutions, and counterfeit seals to sell SRMF lands.</li>
<li>In December 2025, a <strong>3.3610‑hectare</strong> parcel in Gejha Tilpatabad village, Noida, was sold to Singhvahini Infra Projects for <strong>₹16 crore</strong>, well below the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Circle rate — government‑determined minimum price for land transactions, used as a benchmark for stamp duty and registration (GS3: Economy)">circle rate</span> of <strong>₹33.61 crore</strong>.</li>
<li>In January 2026, the same parcel was allegedly sold again to <strong>Vaam Dev Private Limited</strong> for <strong>₹3.48 crore</strong> using a fake board resolution.</li>
<li>Other alleged illegal sales include <strong>39.96 hectares</strong> in Shajapur (M.P.) and <strong>75 acres</strong> in Bilaspur (C.G.) through eight fabricated sale deeds, reportedly with collusion of rev