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Enforcement Directorate: The Lucknow Zonal Office of the Enforcement Directorate has taken a major step in a high-profile financial crime investigation by provisionally attaching a large number of assets linked to the Rohtas Group. Acting under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, the agency has attached 75 immovable properties and two movable assets with a declared value of Rs 158.85 crore. Officials estimate that the current market value of these properties exceeds Rs 350 crore, reflecting a significant escalation in the ongoing probe.

Details of the Attached Properties

According to official sources, the attached immovable properties are valued at approximately Rs 141.21 crore based on their original assessment. These assets are registered in the name of Deepak Rastogi, who is identified as the promoter of the Rohtas Group of companies. In addition, several properties are held in the names of associate firms such as Vardan Township Private Limited, Adhyaye Realty Infrastructure LLP, and multiple individuals suspected to be benamidars connected to the group. All immovable assets included in the attachment are located within the limits of Lucknow, making the case particularly significant for the region.

The Enforcement Directorate has also attached two movable properties valued at Rs 17.64 crore. These movable assets are registered in the name of Highness Infra Developers Private Limited, another entity allegedly linked to the wider corporate network of the Rohtas Group.

Origin of the Money Laundering Investigation

The money laundering investigation was initiated after the Uttar Pradesh Police registered 83 First Information Reports against Rohtas Project Limited and related entities. These FIRs were filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and alleged large-scale fraud involving real estate development schemes. Based on these predicate offences, the Enforcement Directorate began its probe under the PMLA framework.

Alleged Fraudulent Township Schemes

Investigators found that Rohtas Project Limited launched several township and real estate schemes targeting individual investors and homebuyers. Notable projects included developments along Sultanpur Road, Raebareli Road, and a housing project known as Rohtas Plumeria. Under these schemes, customers were offered residential plots, land parcels, and flats of different sizes.

Buyers were reportedly assured that within 30 months of booking, they would either receive possession of the property or be paid a lump sum amount equal to 150 percent of their original investment. This promise attracted a large number of investors seeking higher returns or secure real estate ownership.

Findings on Fund Diversion and Non-Delivery

The investigation revealed that the promised real estate projects were never developed as per the commitments made to buyers. Moreover, the invested funds were not returned, resulting in substantial financial losses for customers. The Enforcement Directorate alleges that instead of using the collected money for project development, the promoters diverted these funds to acquire land in the names of associate companies and benamidars.

Layering of Assets and Concealment of Ownership

To further obscure the trail of ownership, the properties acquired through diverted funds were systematically transferred between related entities. Land parcels initially held by associate companies were transferred to Vardan Township Private Limited. Similarly, properties registered in the names of benamidars were later moved to Adhyaye Realty Infrastructure LLP. Officials believe this complex web of transactions was designed to conceal the proceeds of crime and complicate regulatory scrutiny.

Use of Properties for Bank Financing

The Enforcement Directorate also noted that some land parcels were later acquired directly by Deepak Rastogi from benamidars and mortgaged with banks. This step allegedly enabled the accused to obtain legitimate banking funds against properties acquired through illegal means. Such actions are considered classic examples of layering and integration under money laundering processes.

Previous Attachments and Ongoing Probe

This is not the first attachment in the case. In October 2025, the agency had provisionally attached 68 immovable properties worth Rs 110.05 crore related to the same investigation. With the latest action, the total value of properties attached so far has risen to Rs 268.9 crore. Officials have confirmed that further investigation is underway and additional action may follow based on evidence collected.