PANAJI
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has identified Siddique Khan, alias Suleman Khan, as the alleged mastermind of an organised land-grabbing syndicate in Goa, claiming he fraudulently acquired nearly 25 hectares (62.5 acres) of high-value land using proceeds of crime estimated at over Rs 300 crore.
The ED arrested Suleman on July 16 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after obtaining a court order. The agency alleged that he was the principal beneficiary of a syndicate involved in grabbing valuable properties through forged and fabricated title documents.
The 55-year-old Karwar resident has previously been booked and arrested by Goa Police in cases related to alleged forgery, cheating and fraudulent transfer of immovable properties. Charge sheets have been filed in those matters.
According to the ED, the syndicate allegedly created forged and backdated sale deeds and title documents using the names of deceased or fictitious persons. These were then used to transfer ownership of valuable land parcels to Suleman and his associates.
The agency said the properties were later sold, developed or monetised, with the proceeds projected as legitimate assets. The final value of the alleged proceeds of crime is yet to be quantified.
