Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jun 5: In a major development in the multi-crore Goa land scam, Rohan Harmalkar, alleged to be one of the key masterminds behind the fraudulent land deals, has been remanded to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) till June 18. His arrest on June 3 followed an intense manhunt by the agency, after he had remained absconding for months.

The ED initiated a probe based on multiple FIRs filed by the Goa Police against Harmalkar and his associates under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for cheating, impersonation, document forgery, and tampering with official land records.

Investigations have revealed that Harmalkar allegedly forged sale deeds, impersonated legal heirs, and even counterfeited government stamps to illegally acquire and sell ancestral and privately-owned properties—without the knowledge or consent of the rightful owners.

ED officials stated that several high-value properties, especially in prime tourist locations like Anjuna, Arpora, and Assagao in Bardez Taluka, were fraudulently transferred under the scam. The affected land spans several lakh square metres, indicating the scale of the fraud.

Earlier in April, the ED carried out search operations at various premises linked to the accused and unearthed a large volume of incriminating documents, suggesting widespread manipulation of land ownership records and backdated entries.

Despite repeated summons, Harmalkar evaded authorities until his arrest this week. His custodial interrogation is expected to unearth further leads into the network of officials, brokers, and potential beneficiaries involved in the land scam.

The case has sparked public outrage in Goa, particularly among families whose ancestral properties were sold off illegally. The ED has assured that the matter will be pursued to its full extent and all guilty parties will be brought to justice.