Hyderabad: The Malkajgiri Special Operations Team (SOT) arrested two real estate brokers on Wednesday for allegedly forging land documents and attempting to facilitate fraudulent property transactions.
The accused were identified as Mohd Khaja Pasha, 40, from Moula Ali, and Mohammed Zulfikhar Ali alias Chandu, 38. Another suspect, identified as Vinod Kumar from Alwal, is absconding, police said.
According to police, Pasha, a rowdy-sheeter of Keesara police station with 11 previous cases, allegedly conducted recce of disputed, abandoned and vulnerable properties. He reportedly collected details about the properties, their owners and legal heirs before allegedly using the information to prepare fraudulent documents.
Based on information provided during the investigation, police searched Zulfikhar’s residence and allegedly recovered forged land documents, 22 rubber stamps and seals purportedly belonging to Sub-Registrar offices, a gram panchayat office, stamp authorities and other government-related entities.
Police also seized a computer and a Canon printer allegedly used in the preparation of the documents. Forged sale documents, bond papers and identity documents were reportedly among the material recovered.
Malkajgiri Commissioner of Police B Sumathi said the suspects allegedly prepared forged documents to impersonate genuine property owners or their legal heirs and facilitate fraudulent land transactions.
The police also seized revenue stamps and nine knives from the accused during the operation.
Efforts are underway to apprehend the absconding suspect Vinod Kumar and establish the full extent of the alleged network and its involvement in other property-related cases.
Police advised people planning to purchase land to independently verify title deeds, encumbrance certificates, registration and revenue records, pending litigation and physical possession of the property before completing a transaction.
