Chronological overview of key career events, milestones, and landmark achievements
Born in Kolkata, West Bengal, into a Marwari (Agarwal) family with deep roots in the entrepreneurial and commercial traditions that have defined Indian business. His father, a self-made businessman, was his primary inspiration and the model of the ambition and discipline that would animate his own career.
Completed undergraduate commerce education at St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, one of West Bengal's most distinguished educational institutions, founded by the Society of Jesus in 1860, at the remarkably young age of seventeen. Immediately joined his father in the family business rather than continuing formal education.
Worked alongside his father in the family business, acquiring what he has described as the essential business and people management skills he would later apply to building the Merlin Group, a practical apprenticeship with no formal equivalent.
Founded Merlin Projects Limited in 1984, establishing the corporate entity that would become the institutional nucleus of the Merlin Group. The Group's founding mission, a home for every Indian, was established from the outset, framing real estate development as a contribution to Indian social and human development.
Merlin Group commences active real estate development in Kolkata, beginning with residential housing and building the reputation for quality, reliability, and customer commitment that remains the Merlin brand's most important competitive asset.
Built more than fifty residential and commercial complexes and over one hundred and fifty independent bungalows across Kolkata, including Merlin Homestead, Merlin The One, Merlin Edge, Merlin Rise, and Merlin Heights, establishing the Merlin brand at the premium end of Kolkata's residential market.
Named as a Founder Member of CREDAI India, the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India, the apex body of the Indian real estate industry. One of a small group of senior developers who established the national organisation and built it into a credible voice for the sector with government, regulators, and financial institutions.
Assumed role of President of CREDAI West Bengal, becoming the primary representative of Kolkata and West Bengal's real estate development community in national and state-level policy conversations, and a leading advocate for policy reforms, homebuyer grievance resolution, and professional standards.
Joined the Board of South City Mall in Kolkata, the landmark retail destination that grew into one of the largest and most visited malls in Eastern India with over one million square feet of space, Rs. 1,800 crore annual turnover, and two million monthly visitors.
Served on the Board of Acropolis Mall in Kolkata, one of the city's premier retail destinations, making the Merlin Group one of the few Eastern Indian developers simultaneously holding board positions in two of the region's largest malls.
Developed World Trade Center Kolkata at Salt Lake Sector V in partnership with NDITA, the first World Trade Center in Eastern India, establishing Kolkata as a premier destination for national and international technology and business services companies. Operated under the Princeton Club brand.
Joined the Advisory Board of the Dronah Foundation, a charitable organisation focused on built heritage, community, and environment, reflecting an intellectual and civic engagement with the broader social and cultural dimensions of the built environment.
Under combined leadership with Saket Mohta (MD), the Merlin Group expanded its geographic footprint to multiple Indian cities and internationally to Colombo, Sri Lanka, establishing Merlin as a genuinely national and international real estate organisation.
Merlin Group announced a Fashion TV branded residential project in February 2025, generating coverage across Business Standard, PTI, and major real estate publications, the first branded residence partnership of this kind for the Group.
Merlin Group achieved its first MIVAN technology construction milestone at Elementa 2.0 in Pune, with the completion of the final slab of C Building, marking the Group's adoption of aluminium formwork construction for superior concrete quality and faster project delivery.
Blackstone acquired South City Mall from its group of owners, including the Merlin Group, for Rs. 3,250 crore, the largest real estate transaction in the history of Kolkata and the largest mall deal in Eastern India. Sushil Mohta confirmed the exit aligns with Merlin Group's future plans for new malls, IT parks, and residential projects across Kolkata and Pune.
The Merlin Group, founded in 1984 by Sushil Kumar Mohta, marks 40+ years as one of Eastern India's most respected real estate organisations, with a portfolio of 50+ complexes, 150+ bungalows, six Indian cities, Colombo, and a pipeline including new malls, IT parks, and residential projects under Sushil Mohta's chairmanship and Saket Mohta's managing directorship.