In recent weeks, Indian authorities have intensified their crackdown on illegal land acquisition networks, unearthing elaborate schemes that have shaken public confidence in the integrity of land records and government oversight. The most high-profile development emerged from the coastal state of Goa, where the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Mohammed Suhail, also known as Michael, alleged mastermind of a sprawling land-grabbing syndicate, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
According to statements released by the ED and reported widely in Indian media, Suhail was apprehended on September 22, 2025, from the Colvale Correctional Home in Goa, where he was already being held in judicial custody in connection with another scheduled offence. The ED’s Panaji unit produced him before the Special Court (PMLA) at Merces, which granted the agency four days of custody to interrogate the accused further. The arrest follows a lengthy investigation sparked by a First Information Report (FIR) and a subsequent charge sheet filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT – Land Grab), Goa Police.
The case against Suhail and his associates, including his wife Anjum Shaikh and aide Nure Faijal Bhatkar, is sweeping in its allegations. Police have charged the trio with cheating, forgery of valuable security, and using forged documents as genuine, all under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860. The ED’s investigation has painted a picture of a sophisticated operation that preyed upon vacant and unclaimed properties across Goa, employing a consistent and calculated modus operandi.
As detailed by the ED, Suhail and his associates would first identify vacant properties—often those with unclear or disputed ownership. They would then allegedly forge death certificates to create fictitious legal heirs, facilitating the fraudulent execution of succession deeds. In one notable instance, the group is accused of illegally acquiring a property in the popular beach town of Anjuna, subsequently selling it for Rs 50 lakh and thereby generating what the ED describes as Proceeds of Crime (POC). "They then fraudulently executed a succession deed to illegally acquire a property in Anjuna, which was subsequently sold for Rs 50 lakh, thereby generating Proceeds of Crime," the agency stated in its official release.
The scale of the operation is staggering. The ED has already attached 52 properties, allegedly acquired through illegal means, valued at approximately Rs 232.73 crore. In a related case, a prosecution complaint has been filed against Suhail and 35 others. During the course of the investigation, Suhail himself reportedly disclosed his involvement in the illegal acquisition of over 100 properties—an admission that underscores the breadth of the alleged conspiracy. The ED noted, "Investigations under PMLA have exposed a deep-rooted conspiracy and a consistent modus operandi. Md. Suhail, in collusion with his associates, would identify vacant properties, forge documents, and manipulate records in government departments to create fake ownership histories. These properties were then illegally mutated in the names of their associates and subsequently sold."
Authorities say that Suhail was non-traceable and non-cooperative for a significant period, deliberately evading multiple summonses. His recent arrest is seen as a breakthrough that could help investigators unravel the money trail, determine the end-use of the illicit proceeds, and potentially expose the involvement of additional individuals in this extensive scam. The ED made clear that their investigation is ongoing, with further interrogations and forensic audits expected to yield more information about the network’s operations and beneficiaries.
While the Goa case has captured national headlines, it is by no means an isolated incident. In Kerala, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has also taken decisive action against alleged land-related corruption. On the basis of a complaint by activist Cheshire Tarzan of Kadavanthra, the VACB registered a fresh FIR alleging the encroachment of puramboke (government) land through the collusion of public officials and private actors. The complaint claims that a land mafia has been systematically encroaching on government land and subsequently selling it using forged land deeds.
The Kerala FIR names Sajesh K.G., a former Elamkulam village officer, and a private individual, Kesardev Kejerival, as accused. They have been booked under Section 120B of the IPC (criminal conspiracy) and Section 7(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which relates to public servants acting dishonestly in anticipation of or as a consequence of receiving undue advantage. According to the FIR, Kejerival sought a Pattayam (land title) from the land tribunal tahsildar, who in turn requested a report from the village officer on December 4, 2019. Kejerival then petitioned the High Court, which, on May 12, 2020, ordered the village officer to conduct an inquiry and submit a report within six weeks.
The timeline, as outlined in the FIR, raises serious questions about the procedural integrity of the land allotment. The village officer reportedly conducted a hearing on May 13, 2020, and, without verifying adequate documentation, submitted a report to the tahsildar on May 27, 2020. Just two days later, on May 29, 2020, the Pattayam was granted to Kejerival. This rapid sequence of events, coupled with the lack of proper verification, has fueled suspicions of official collusion and procedural shortcuts.
These cases, though separated by geography and scale, share disturbing similarities. Both involve the alleged manipulation of land records, the forging of official documents, and the complicity—whether active or passive—of government officials. The Goa syndicate’s systematic approach to identifying and acquiring vacant properties, and the Kerala case’s alleged misuse of administrative processes, point to a broader vulnerability in India’s land administration systems. Activists and anti-corruption advocates have long warned that opaque land records and inadequate oversight create fertile ground for such frauds.
Public reaction to these revelations has been one of dismay and, in some quarters, outrage. The sheer value of the properties involved—over Rs 232 crore in Goa alone—has prompted calls for greater transparency and accountability in land transactions. Many have urged authorities to not only pursue criminal prosecutions but also to implement reforms that would make land records more accessible, verifiable, and tamper-proof. Digitalization of land records, stricter verification protocols, and routine audits are among the solutions frequently discussed by policy experts.
For now, the focus remains on the ongoing investigations. The ED’s continued interrogation of Suhail and his associates is expected to shed further light on the inner workings of the Goa syndicate. In Kerala, the VACB’s probe into the alleged puramboke land encroachment is still in its early stages, but already serves as a warning that vigilance is needed at every level of government.
As authorities press ahead, the message is clear: land is among the most precious of resources, and its protection against fraud and corruption is a matter of public trust and national interest.