The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Maharashtra): Nagpur police have escalated their legal response to a complex land fraud case by invoking the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against 18 suspects accused of illicitly selling a plot of land belonging to a 63-year-old woman. The complaint, lodged in November 2023, revealed that the woman’s 3,000 square foot plot in the Mouza Nara area was sold for Rs 5 lakh through the use of forged documents to one Imam Khan Abdul Rahim Khan.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone II), Rahul Madne, highlighted the intricate web of deceit spun by the accused, which included the crafting of counterfeit Aadhaar and PAN cards alongside a bogus sale deed. A crucial element of their operation involved collusion with a registrar office employee, who provided access to the original land files, facilitating the fraud.
Further investigations led to searches at the homes and vehicles of the accused, where authorities uncovered a trove of falsified documents related to land registry, fake identification, and counterfeit currency, among other incriminating materials. These findings not only demonstrated the accused’s direct involvement in this case but also suggested a broader pattern of land-related crimes.
The decision to apply MCOCA underscores the organized and systematic nature of the criminal activities undertaken by the group, marking a significant step in the legal proceedings against them. Currently, five of the accused remain in custody, with the rest having secured bail. Efforts are underway to revoke the bail of those released, with the police issuing notices to the individuals in custody.
The case has brought to light the sophisticated operations of organized crime rings in Nagpur, particularly in the realm of land fraud, and represents a strong stance by law enforcement against such activities.