Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Bombay High Court at Goa has dismissed a petition filed by a Mumbai-based couple seeking to set aside an FIR registered against them by the Economic Offences Cell (EOC) in connection with an alleged property scam involving approximately Rs 3.7 crore.
Justice Ashish Chavan, while hearing the matter, observed that the evidence collected during the preliminary investigation pointed towards possible offences of cheating and criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code. The case has been registered against Jeremias D’Souza and Collette D’Souza.
The complaint was filed by Haryana resident Manjeet Virmani, who accused the couple of misleading him and two other individuals into investing in multiple real estate transactions in Goa. According to the allegations, the accused claimed to have valid authority and clear ownership rights over several properties while allegedly withholding crucial legal details connected to those lands.
The disputed transactions reportedly involved properties located in Assagao, Siolim-Marna, Arpora-Nagoa and Corjuem. Investigators stated that six separate Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were executed between January and June 2024, during which the complainants allegedly transferred close to Rs 3.7 crore to the accused.
The court noted that the accused had represented themselves as authorised facilitators for property owners and had assured buyers that the properties were legally clear and transferable. The complainants, relying on these assurances, proceeded with the financial transactions.
During arguments, senior advocate Sudin Usgaonkar, appearing for the petitioners, maintained that the matter stemmed from a business disagreement and should not attract criminal proceedings. He also informed the court that arbitration proceedings related to the transactions were already pending between the parties.
