Team Goemkarponn
MERCES: The Additional Sessions Court at Merces has granted bail to Siddique alias Suleman Khan, the prime accused in a high-profile land-grab and forgery case involving properties in Thivim, observing that the prosecution had failed to produce key forensic evidence despite the passage of several years.
The court directed Khan’s release on a bail bond of ₹50,000 with one surety, while imposing stringent conditions to ensure his availability during trial and prevent any interference with the investigation.
This is the second land-grab case in which Siddique has secured bail. In May this year, he was granted bail in another case involving the alleged illegal acquisition of over 216,000 square metres of land through forged sale deeds and fabricated documents.
The present case arose from a complaint filed by the Civil-cum-Sub-Registrar of Bardez, following which Mapusa Police charge-sheeted Khan on charges of cheating and forgery.
According to the prosecution, Khan allegedly conspired with unidentified government officials to forge sale deeds relating to properties bearing survey numbers 455/7, 466/5 and 466/6 in Thivim. He is accused of using counterfeit government stamps, impersonating the legal heirs of the original landowners and fraudulently transferring ownership before selling the properties for financial gain.
Khan has remained in judicial custody since his arrest on December 6, 2024.
The prosecution opposed the bail plea, citing Khan’s alleged involvement in multiple criminal cases across Goa, Delhi and Hyderabad. It also argued that he had previously misused bail, attempted to abscond and faced charges for escaping from Crime Branch custody. The State contended that his release could influence witnesses and delay the trial.
Senior Advocate Nitin Sardesai and Advocate Sahil Sardessai, appearing for Khan, argued that their client was being falsely implicated due to political rivalries. They also submitted that the prosecution had failed to recover any counterfeit seals from Khan or produce scientific evidence linking him to the alleged forgery.
While granting bail, the court observed that although the allegations were serious and Khan’s criminal antecedents could not be ignored, the constitutional right to a speedy trial also had to be considered. It noted that nearly four years had elapsed since the FIR was registered, yet the prosecution had not produced the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) handwriting analysis report, which was central to establishing the alleged forgery.
The court held that an accused could not be kept in custody indefinitely while awaiting the forensic report and relied on Supreme Court precedents recognising the right to a speedy trial.
As part of the bail conditions, Khan has been directed to furnish verified identity and residential proof, provide a WhatsApp-enabled mobile number to the investigating officer, refrain from leaving Goa or India without prior court permission, avoid contacting witnesses or tampering with evidence, and not commit similar offences. The court warned that any violation of these conditions would result in cancellation of bail.
