Alleged land grab ‘kingpin’ granted bail by Mapusa court

Panaji: A Mapusa court granted bail to Royson Rodrigues, 50, in two land grabbing cases. The court observed that the grounds stated by the investigating officer were not sufficient to detain him in judicial custody, and could be dealt with by imposing conditions.The investigating officer, crime branch, SIT, land grabbing, Ribandar, opposed his bail on the grounds that he is the alleged kingpin of the land grab syndicate and has not cooperated with the investigating agency. The investigating team alleged that he and his associates kept on preparing fraudulent documents, and that material used for preparing fraudulent documents have not been recovered. If bailed out, he will destroy the evidence, the court was told.The state told the court that the fake title documents of properties allegedly prepared by him need to be recovered. The court was also told that Rodrigues allegedly “victimised and grabbed properties of the innocent public”, and that their details are yet to be ascertained. Also, the source of procuring forged stamp papers by his syndicate needs to be established, the court was told. The SIT added that illegal cash deals towards the sale of properties was yet to be ascertained and that investigation is yet to be concluded.

The SIT also said that Rodrigues has challenged the entire govt system and govt departments of the state. Police submitted to court that the offences are white collar and organised economic offences, which have left “a big dent on the economy of the state”.