PANAJI
The SIT (land grabbing) team of the Crime Branch arrested three persons in the land grabbing case, with IGP Ombir Singh claiming this is the biggest catch thus far.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, IGP Singh said they have arrested Rajkumar Maithi, Royson Rodrigues and Sandric Fernandes.
“Rajkumar along with another accomplice Sohail Khan alias Michael, are the masterminds behind the whole land grabbing. Rajkumar was earlier a partner of Vikram Shetty but later joined hands with Rodrigues and Fernandes to start the land grabbing,” Singh said.
“It was Rajkumar and Sohail who used to prepare fake people whose names matched with Portuguese names.”
“It was not easy for SIT to catch the culprits as Royson was on the run from one country to the other. When he was coming out from Mumbai airport on Thursday, our team was able to apprehend him,” Singh said while adding that he is personally supervising the case along with SP Crime to build a strong case so that the accused do not get bail.
“All available techniques will be used to strengthen the evidence,” the IGP stated while adding that more accused will be arrested soon.
Singh further requested all the actual owners of the properties to come forward and help police to nab the remaining culprits so as to make the case watertight.
“Sandric alone has been instrumental in forging documents of 26 properties admeasuring 64,782 square metres while Royson has forged documents of 61 properties admeasuring to 1,30,425 square metres,” said Singh.
“Rajkumar transferred 4 properties in the name of his brother-in-law while another four properties are also being investigated.
“In all, the scam involves 95 properties from Anjuna, Assagao, Badem, Calangute, Mapusa, Nerul, Parra, Reis Magos, Vasco and Margao,” he stated and added that all three accused have 9-10 bank accounts in their names.
When questioned whether any politician is involved, Singh said, “Right now, we got a confessional statement from the accused on the involvement of a few politicians but details cannot be shared until arrests are made. But the real culprits will be punished and we will not leave any stone unturned to unearth the scam.”
The IGP further said that there is no political pressure on the SIT as they have been given free hand by the chief minister.
Meanwhile, Singh thanked the first complainant Francis Noronha for his thorough research in the matter which helped them in nabbing the culprits.
“Goa Police owe a lot to him for providing the details,” he added.
