The Goa Police have arrested two individuals, including the chairman of the Congress party’s social media wing in Goa, in connection with a high-profile land-grab case. Divyakumar Khandhar, 44, and Yogesh, 41, were taken into custody on October 25 on charges of document forgery and illegal sale of properties. Both suspects were presented in a Mapusa court and placed under police custody.
In response to growing concerns over land-related fraud, the Goa government had formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in June 2022 to address illegal land-grab cases. Since its inception, the SIT has filed 41 FIRs involving around 90 properties, uncovering a pattern of document forgery allegedly facilitated by collusion with state archives department officials.
In the latest case, the suspects are accused of falsifying ownership records to illegally acquire and sell properties located in the village of Assagao. According to the complainant, Felix Noronha from Anjuna, the accused allegedly impersonated his late father to fabricate a land deed dating back to 1950. This fabricated document was reportedly used in 2021 to execute a sale deed and alter property ownership records, depriving the legitimate heirs of their rights. The SIT investigation continues as authorities delve into other possible connections and collaborators in the alleged land-grab scheme
