Trinetra Resorts, Green Orchid Under Scanner for Illegal Construction, Revenue Violations
Avinash Azad
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Jammu, has provisionally attached properties worth ₹14.93 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in the much-publicized Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) case.
The attached assets include Hotel Trinetra Resorts and Hotel Green Orchid, both located in the picturesque Patnitop area of Jammu and Kashmir.
The ED initiated its probe based on an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu. The FIR named several hotel and guest house owners, resort directors, and PDA officials for alleged violations, including unauthorized commercial use of residential buildings, construction exceeding approved limits, and business operations in prohibited areas such as dense forests, agricultural zones, and residential neighborhoods.
In a statement, the ED spokesperson disclosed that Hotel Trinetra Resorts and Hotel Green Orchid were constructed far beyond the limits permitted by the PDA. “Investigations revealed that both hotels undertook illegal construction on encroached land, generating significant revenue from these operations. The illegally acquired land and proceeds from the revenue constitute the Proceeds of Crime, leading to the provisional attachment under PMLA,” the spokesperson said.
The ED further alleged lapses in compliance on the part of PDA officials, who overlooked illegalities, facilitating such large-scale violations. The investigation also highlighted encroachments on protected and ecologically sensitive areas, raising serious questions about the regulatory framework’s enforcement.
The attached properties are under ED’s custody as the investigation progresses. “Our probe into the role of officials and other stakeholders is ongoing, and more action will follow based on findings,” the spokesperson added.
The Patnitop Development Authority case has drawn widespread attention for its implications on environmental conservation and legal compliance in hill stations. The attachment of assets worth nearly ₹15 crore is being seen as a significant step toward accountability.
The ED’s action has sent ripples through the tourism and hospitality sector in the region. Sources indicate that more properties might come under scrutiny as the investigation delves deeper into the alleged nexus of hoteliers and officials.
