PORVORIM/MAPUSA
In yet another alleged land fraud involving comunidade property, Porvorim police have registered a case against a couple, who are panchas of Salvador do Mundo, for allegedly forging a string of documents to obtain title and possession of two plots at Socorro, belonging to the Serula comunidade.
The case was registered on Monday following a complaint by Peter Martins, attorney of Comunidade of Serula, who alleged that Rajesh Savaikar and Roshni Savaikar, sometime prior to June 28, 2022 allegedly fabricated documents and used them to fraudulently transfer the plots in their names.
According to the complaint, the alleged fraud relates to two plots measuring 315 sq m and 500 sq m in survey No. 362/1 at Socorro, Porvorim.
Police said the accused allegedly prepared and used a series of forged documents, including certificates, an official Gazette, a purported resolution of the Serula comunidade, payment receipts and government correspondence relating to the plots.
The complaint alleges that the documents were subsequently used to bypass the mandatory procedure for allotment of comunidade plots and secure title and possession of the properties.
The alleged acts, according to police, resulted in the Serula comunidade and government authorities being cheated.
While going through the documents, officials of Serula comunidade learnt about the forgery, Martins filed a police complaint and after investigation, Porvorim police registered the offence on October 5.
Police have registered an offence under Sections 465, 467, 468, 471 and 420 read with Section 34 of the IPC, dealing with forgery, use of forged documents, cheating and acts done with common intention.
Porvorim Police has issued the notice under Section 35 and requested the accused duo to be present before the police station. Police Inspector Tukaram Chavan is investigating the case.
The case once again puts the spotlight on the vulnerability of Goa’s comunidade and privately held land to alleged manipulation of old records, fabricated documents and questionable transfers. Land-related disputes and fraud allegations have repeatedly surfaced in the state, particularly where ownership depends on decades-old comunidade, revenue and registration records.
