The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has blown the lid off the extensive network of alleged land grab kingpin Mohammad Sohail, linking him to 14 of the 24 immovable properties provisionally attached in the probe into Goa’s widening land grab scandal. Sohail was arrested by the Crime Branch in Quepem on June 12.
Sohail is alleged to be involved in fraudulent activities connected to over 92 properties across North Goa. He has since applied for bail.
According to ED findings, mutations of five out of the 14 provisionally attached properties have already been fraudulently processed. Notably, the mutation of Custodian of Enemy Property under Survey No 540/13 was completed within just two days.
When asked about a potential arrest by ED, ED counsel Siddarth Samant said, “I am not in the position to say whether he is going to be arrested by the ED or not. The Investigative Officer (IO) will know.”
“We were on the lookout for him, and his arrest will help all investigating land grab cases. During his custodial interrogation, we became aware of the magnitude of his crimes,” an ED source disclosed on condition of anonymity.
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According to ED, mutations of five out of the 14 provisionally attached properties have already been fraudulently processed
Among the 92 properties linked to Sohail, eight in Anjuna and one in Mapusa are designated Custodian of Enemy Properties
Mutation of Custodian of Enemy Property under Survey No 540/13 was completed within just two days
Together, these assets are valued at approximately Rs12.5 croreand cover a total area of 223,155 sqm
ED records show that six of the Anjuna mutations and the one in Mapusa have been declared invalid
198 land grabbing cases flagged by activists across North Goa: Anjuna (75), Assagao (49), Badem (28), Parra (18), Calangute (12), Revora (6), Arpora (4), and one each in Nerul, Mapusa, and Reis Magos
Among the 92 properties linked to Sohail, eight in Anjuna and one in Mapusa are designated Custodian of Enemy Properties. Together, these assets are valued at approximately Rs 12.5 crore and cover a total area of 223,155 sqm. ED records show that six of the Anjuna mutations and the one in Mapusa have been declared invalid.
“During interrogation, the accused (Sohail) admitted that some mutations of the properties were blocked by the North Goa Collector. He has claimed so in many other cases, but on checking, many of his claims were found to be false,” the ED source added.
Meanwhile, victims and whistle-blowers have raised concerns over the pace of investigations. Advocate Cristina Dias, who helped uncover the scandal, criticised the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for its prolonged silence. “It has been over a year since we last heard from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) regarding our complaints in the land grab cases. There has been no progress update, no communication, and no transparency in their handling of these cases. Their silence has left the victims in uncertainty and frustration,” said Dias.
Dias and her group had flagged 198 cases of land grabbing across 11 villages in North Goa. Anjuna reported the highest number with 75 cases, followed by Assagao with 49, Badem (28), Parra (18), Calangute (12), Revora (6), Arpora (4), and one each in Nerul, Mapusa, and Reis Magos.
“Despite the registration of multiple FIRs, the SIT has not filed chargesheets except in five complaints. There is nothing on record to show that any significant action has been taken pursuant to our complaints. This inaction continues even though the complaints involve serious allegations of fraudulent insertion of documents in the Sub-Registrar’s Office and the Archives department,” alleged Dias.
When asked to comment, SIT Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta said, “I need to check the type of complaints as it is not proper for me to comment offhand without knowing the details.”
Sohail’s bail plea is reportedly being contested by the Crime Branch. “If he gets bail, the ED has a chance to nab him and bail under the ED is far more difficult. There are people who have been arrested by the ED in land grabbing cases and are in jail for months without bail,” a senior Goa Police source confirmed.
Documents accessed in the investigation reveal that 12 property mutations connected to the scandal have been completed, five have been dismissed, and eight have been identified as having invalid mutation numbers.
Dias also noted the government’s inaction on establishing a special court to address land grabbing cases – a key recommendation of the Justice Jadhav Commission. “The government had promised to establish a special court dedicated to land grabbing cases, which was also recommended by the one-man commission of Justice Jadhav. However, nothing has happened. We do acknowledge and express our appreciation to the Enforcement Directorate for their proactive engagement and investigation, especially in cases where the SIT remained inactive,” she concluded.