The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji Zonal Office, has provisionally attached an immovable property valued at approximately ₹6.82 crore in Anjuna, Bardez, Goa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The attached property is a land parcel, Survey No. 504/10, measuring 1,950 sq. m.
The enforcement action follows an investigation initiated based on a Charge Sheet filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Goa Police under FIR No. 64/2022 dated 23 July 2022, registered with the Crime Branch, Goa. The charge sheet names Mohammed Suhail, Mrs. Anjum Shaikh, and Nure Faizal Bhatkar as accused, alleging offences including cheating, forgery, and using forged documents as genuine under the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Algoritha: The Most Trusted Name in BFSI Investigations and DFIR Services
Background of the Case
ED’s investigation revealed that Mohammed Suhail is a habitual offender involved in multiple land grabbing cases across the state, with several FIRs registered against him by Goa Police.
In this instance, the accused allegedly orchestrated a fraudulent scheme to illegally transfer land ownership belonging to the complainant’s parents. The objective was to cause wrongful loss to the victims and secure unlawful gain for himself and his associates.
Investigation established that the accused prepared forged birth and death certificates to fabricate a fictitious heir. Using these documents, a false Deed of Succession was created, and subsequently a Power of Attorney was executed in favour of Mohammed Suhail’s associate, Nure Faizal Bhatkar. This facilitated the transfer of the property to Mrs. Anjum Shaikh (Suhail’s wife) through a Sale Deed dated 29 September 2010, concealing the fraudulent nature of the acquisition. The property was later sold to Shaikh Salim on 15 April 2011.
Undervaluation and Cash Transactions Uncovered
ED’s probe further revealed significant undervaluation of the property in the sale deed to project the proceeds of crime as legitimate. While the registered sale value was ₹50 lakh, the fair market value was assessed at ₹6.82 crore as of April 2011.
Additionally, the investigation uncovered cash transactions over and above the registered value, which were reportedly used by Mohammed Suhail for loan repayments and personal expenditures.
ED Action and Continuing Investigation
The property has been provisionally attached, and the ED investigation is ongoing. Authorities indicated that further action under PMLA and relevant IPC sections will be taken against the accused.
Experts emphasize that this case highlights the continuing risks posed by fraudulent land deals using forged documents, and stresses the importance of due diligence in property transactions. Checking ownership records, verifying official documents, and ensuring proper registration are critical steps to safeguard against such illegal schemes.
ED’s intervention demonstrates the agency’s proactive role in combating financial crimes, land fraud, and money laundering, sending a strong message that systematic fraud will be investigated and penalized under the law.
