PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said the special investigation team (SIT) probing land grab cases has fast-tracked investigations. Anonymous properties which have been grabbed illegally while the owners are abroad or have passed away will belong to the government, he said.
“Anonymous properties, whose owners are in foreign countries or whose owners do not exist, such properties have been sold or illegally grabbed. This will not be permitted. Such properties will belong to the state government,” the chief minister said on the sidelines of a function at BJP headquarters in Panaji.
Elaborating, the CM said that in case there are illegally grabbed properties of Goans who have surrendered Indian citizenship and moved abroad, then the government may also think of taking over these properties.
When TOI asked if any law will be introduced in the assembly to take this forward, Sawant said, “I have already given directions to examine this aspect.”
He said that 22 land grab cases have been transferred to the SIT from other police stations for investigations.
Sawant said that a case has been registered against Vikrant Shetty, Luiza Fernandes, Aitano Fernandes and Meena Ramakant Naik, all from Durbhat, and the sub-registrar, Mapusa.
Two people have already been arrested in the case. “More people will be arrested,” the chief minister said.
He said that the SIT, which was formed last week, is already investigating around 17 cases.
Sawant said that people are now approaching the SIT and police stations on their own with land grab cases. “I urge the people to give details of the cases to the SIT or police station and preliminary investigation will be conducted. If a detailed inquiry is required, then SIT will go ahead,” he said.
The CM had said that the magnitude of the land grab cases in monetary terms will be known only once investigation progresses.
The SIT had said that Shetty, who was arrested in the case, sold most properties to businessmen from Delhi and Bengaluru, among other cities.
Goa police on Tuesday strengthened the SIT by deploying additional 22 police personnel, including three inspectors.
