Panaji: Goa Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has apprehended notorious criminal Siddiqui alias Suleman Mohammad Khan, age 54, a resident of Thivim, Goa, who was wanted in multiple cases of land fraud, forgery, and violent crimes, including murder. Khan, a habitual offender, was arrested on November 12, 2024, in Hubli, Karnataka, after evading law enforcement for five years. His arrest was the result of meticulous efforts by the SIT, which had been piecing together clues over the past three months.
The investigation stems from a case registered in September 2020, in which Khan is alleged to have forged documents and impersonated property owners to illegally transfer ownership of land in Mapusa, Goa. The case, filed by Mr. Arjun S. Shetye of the Civil Registrar’s office, alleges that Khan fraudulently used a counterfeit stamp to facilitate the property transfer, effectively depriving rightful owners of their land.
Upon his arrest, Khan was found to have engaged in several other criminal activities, including murder and property fraud across multiple jurisdictions. Cases against him include forgery, impersonation, and violent crimes registered at various police stations, including Mapusa, Valpoi, and Anjuna. His criminal record reveals involvement in serious offenses under various IPC sections, further establishing his reputation as a hardened and dangerous criminal.
Khan, who has been on the run since August 2020, employed various methods to evade capture, including frequent changes in appearance, the use of multiple mobile phones and SIM cards, and movement across different states. According to investigators, he even resorted to disguises, including dressing as a woman, to avoid detection.
Earlier this year, Khan’s illegal structures on a property he had forcibly occupied in Ekta Nagar, Mapusa, were demolished by the Mapusa Municipal Council following orders from the Deputy Collector and SDM of North Goa. Khan had constructed two concrete buildings and a metal shed on the property without authorization.
Following his arrest, Khan was presented before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) in Mapusa and has been remanded to nine days of police custody for further investigation. The SIT, led by PSI Pritesh Madgaonnkar under the supervision of PI SIT (LG) and Dy.SP Shivram Vaigainkar, continues to investigate Khan’s criminal network and activities, with overall oversight from SP SIT (LG) Rahul Gupta.
