PONDA: In a significant development, the Ponda Police have registered an FIR in connection with an alleged large-scale land grabbing and fraud case involving ancestral property at Bethora village in Ponda Taluka, South Goa.

The FIR (No. 26/2026), registered on March 21, 2026, invokes multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including cheating, forgery, use of forged documents, and common intention.

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Details of the FIR

According to the complaint filed by Ucchari Sitaram Gaude, the accused — Muhammad Javed Mullam and Neeraj Madhu Kankonkar (alias Niraj Kankonkar) — are partners of a real estate firm.

They allegedly carried out a systematic land grabbing operation using forged and fabricated documents.

The complainant has alleged that the accused:

• Used forged, fabricated and non-existent TCP NOCs
• Executed over 50 illegal sale deeds in undivided ancestral land
• Misused Power of Attorney from around 33 co-owners
• Sold land parcels without lawful partition or demarcation

RTI replies from the TCP Department, as cited in the complaint, reportedly confirm that no official records exist for the referenced TCP approvals, strengthening allegations of fabrication and fraud.

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Disputed Ancestral Property

The land in question, Survey No. 215/0 at Bethora, reportedly belongs to the Communidade of Bethora and remains undivided ancestral property.

The complaint highlights that:

• No legal partition or sub-division has been carried out to date
• The property falls substantially within a Natural Cover Zone (NCZ)
• It is legally non-developable and non-saleable

Despite this, multiple transactions were allegedly executed, raising serious concerns about regulatory oversight.

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Social and Legal Dimensions

The complainant has pointed out that a majority of the co-owners belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community.

He has alleged systematic exploitation and dispossession of vulnerable landholders.

The complaint also invokes constitutional protections under Articles 244 and 275, along with alleged violations of:

• Goa Town and Country Planning Act, 1974
• Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968

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Investigation Underway

Police have initiated an investigation, with a Sub-Inspector assigned as the Investigating Officer.

The FIR notes that the alleged offences span a period from October 2023 to January 2026.

The complainant has demanded:

• Seizure of forged documents and sale deeds
• Probe into the role of public servants, including sub-registrar officials
• SIT (Land Grab) investigation
• Prosecution of all accused and beneficiaries

The case is expected to have wider implications, particularly concerning illegal land transactions and regulatory lapses in Goa’s planning and registration systems.