Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji, has arrested Mohammed Suhail alias Michael on September 22 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Suhail, the alleged mastermind of a large-scale land grabbing syndicate in Goa, was arrested from Colvale Correctional Home, where he was already lodged in judicial custody in connection with another offence.
He was produced before the Special Court (PMLA) at Merces, which remanded him to ED custody for four days.
The ED investigation stems from an FIR and chargesheet filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT–Land Grab) of Goa Police against Suhail, his wife Anjum Shaikh, and associate Nure Faijal Bhatkar.
They face charges of cheating, forgery, and using forged documents as genuine under various IPC sections.
According to the probe, Suhail led a syndicate that forged death certificates to create fictitious legal heirs and executed fraudulent succession deeds to illegally acquire properties.
One such property in Anjuna was allegedly sold for ₹50 lakh, generating illicit proceeds.
Earlier, the ED had attached 52 properties worth ₹232.73 crore in a related case where Suhail is the prime accused. He had also admitted to involvement in the illegal acquisition of over 100 properties.
A prosecution complaint has been filed against him and 35 others.
The ED stated that Suhail’s custodial interrogation will help trace the money trail, establish the end-use of proceeds of crime, and expose the network of individuals involved in the scam. Further investigation is underway.
