PANAJI
The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday conducted marathon searches at the properties of alleged land-grab syndicate kingpin Siddique Khan alias Suleman and his associate Asif Allabaksha Soudagar.
The searches were carried out at multiple premises, with Khan’s property in Karwar, Karnataka, and Soudagar’s properties in Goa. Sources said that the searches are a part of the ED’s continuing investigation into the alleged money trail, properties acquired through fraudulent transactions and the wider network of persons involved in the land-grabbing operation.
The ED had arrested Khan on July 16 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act after obtaining a court order. It described him as the alleged mastermind and principal beneficiary of an organised syndicate that acquired valuable properties in Goa using forged and fabricated title documents.
The agency has provisionally estimated the proceeds of crime at more than Rs 300 crore and said the properties allegedly acquired and held by or on behalf of the accused cover about 25 hectares, or 62.5 acres, of high-value land in Goa.
Soudagar has also figured in the land-grab investigation as he has been charged with alleged fraudulent land transactions in Thivim.
