MAPUSA
The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) on Friday demolished at least six illegal structures belonging to Suleman Khan, also known as Siddiqui, in Ektanagar, Housing Board, Mapusa.
Khan has been accused of involvement in a murder and allegedly several land fraud cases.
The structures were reportedly built without obtaining prior permissions from the relevant authorities.
The civic body had initiated an inquiry into the illegal constructions, leading to the issuance of a show-cause notice under Section 184(8) of the Goa Municipal Act, 1968.
The notice directed Khan to either voluntarily demolish the structures or face action from the municipality.
When Khan failed to comply, the authorities proceeded with the demolition on Friday morning.
A JCB machine was brought to the site, and in the presence of municipal officials, the illegal structures were razed.
MMC Chief Officer Chandrakant Shetkar confirmed the action, stating, “The inquiry revealed that the structures were constructed without the necessary approvals. After completing all legal procedures, we decided to demolish them.”
Suleman Khan has been embroiled in multiple legal controversies, including accusations of murder and involvement in land-related crimes.
He is accused of fraudulently transferring 20,000 square metres of land in Ektanagar using forged documents and fake rubber stamps.
A complaint lodged by the former sub-registrar triggered a police investigation into the alleged illegal land deals.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) (Land Grab), investigating land frauds and illegal acquisition cases for over two years, stated that the 46-year-old accused from Tivim was absconding after committing the crime. According to the SIT, this is the first demolition related to land grabbing, following directions from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
“It has also come to light that the accused Siddiqui is a habitual offender involved in multiple property fraud and other criminal cases registered at Anjuna and Mapusa police stations, which are pending trial. Siddiqui allegedly grabbed property surveyed under PT Sheet No. 67, Chalta No. 2, Ekta Nagar, Mapusa and had erected barbed wire fencing, two concrete structures and a metal shed on the land without proper authorisation. A related FIR was filed at Mapusa Police Station in 2020,” SIT Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta said.
The demolition marks the latest action in the authorities’ efforts to crack down on illegal activities linked to Khan.
