New Delhi, Jun 28, 2025: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached three hotels in Patnitop, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, along with their income, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The total value of the attached assets, including land, buildings, and income, stands at ₹15.78 crore, the agency said on Saturday.
The action follows a CBI FIR filed against the owners and directors of several hotels, resorts, guest houses, and officials of the Patnitop Development Authority (PDA). The complaint alleges commercial misuse of residential buildings, unauthorized construction, and operation of businesses in prohibited areas such as dense forests, agricultural, and residential zones. The ED stated that PDA officials allegedly ignored these violations.
The hotels attached include:
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Hotel Pine Heritage
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Hotel Dream Land
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Hotel Shahi Santoor
The ED’s provisional attachment order, issued on Friday, covers both the physical properties and their generated income.
According to the agency, these establishments were constructed in violation of permissible limits and regulations set by the PDA, constituting proceeds of crime under the anti-money laundering law.
Earlier in January 2025, the ED had attached Hotel Trinetra Resorts and Hotel Green Orchid in Patnitop in connection with the same investigation, valued at ₹14.93 crore.
Patnitop, located 47 km from Udhampur and 112 km from Jammu, remains a year-round tourist attraction and has recently been under scrutiny for violations related to land use and construction norms.
