South Goa has reported a rise in property fraud and alleged land-grab activities despite an ongoing investigation by a special investigation team (SIT). Police have registered multiple first information reports (FIRs) in recent days, including cases involving alleged false declarations in property sale deeds, disputes over possession and the use of previously mortgaged property to obtain bank loans.
Two recent cases registered at Fatorda and Margao town police stations have brought attention to concerns surrounding property ownership claims, title documents and financial transactions linked to real estate in the region.
Alleged False Declarations in Property Sale Deeds
On October 20, 2026, Fatorda police registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by Mariano Siqueira, a resident of Curtorim. The case was registered under Sections 236, 316(2) and 318(2), read with Section 3(5), of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to the complaint, two sale deeds were executed on February 6, 2026, at the Salcete sub-registrar’s office. The deeds concerned properties located at Uguirim in Curtorim and were executed in favour of Jerson Siqueira, who has been named as the second accused.
The complainant alleged that the first accused, Russel Milagres D’Cunha, a Mumbai resident and son of the complainant’s landlady, made false declarations in the sale deeds. D’Cunha allegedly described himself as a bachelor and the sole and universal heir of his late mother and her husband.
However, Mariano Siqueira claimed that D’Cunha was married and had living siblings when the documents were executed. These allegations form part of the case registered by Fatorda police.
The complaint also raises concerns regarding the possession of commercial premises associated with the property. Siqueira stated that he had occupied three ground-floor shops in the building for more than 25 years under an agreement. He further alleged that the shops contained goods valued at approximately Rs 12 lakh.
According to the complainant, the accused disregarded the implied agreement concerning his possession of the premises and the goods stored there, amounting to criminal breach of trust. The allegations are subject to investigation.
Bank Loan Case Involving Allegedly Mortgaged Property
In a separate case, Margao town police registered an FIR on October 18, 2026, following a complaint by Ritesh Verma of Bank of Baroda, Margao. The case relates to credit facilities worth Rs 75 lakh allegedly obtained by three individuals between 2014 and 2023.
The accused, identified as Uday Naik, Urvashi Naik and Yuvaraj Naik, are residents of Kundaim in Ponda. According to the bank’s complaint, they obtained the credit facilities from the erstwhile Vijaya Bank in Margao. Vijaya Bank merged with Bank of Baroda with effect from April 1, 2019.
The complaint alleges that the accused offered a property as collateral security by creating an equitable mortgage and represented that the first two accused were its lawful owners.
However, the bank alleged that the property had already been mortgaged to EDC Ltd against a loan taken by Pure Beverages. The property was subsequently sold through an auction, according to the complaint.
The accused allegedly concealed the earlier mortgage and used the same title documents to obtain the additional credit facilities. The bank has claimed that these actions induced it to sanction the loan, resulting in a wrongful loss of Rs 75 lakh.
The FIR was registered under Sections 403, 419, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 422 of the BNS, as reported.
Property Verification Remains Important
The cases highlight the potential risks associated with disputed ownership claims, incomplete disclosure of existing mortgages and the verification of property documents during real estate transactions. They also underline the importance of checking ownership records, inheritance-related documents and existing financial charges before purchasing or accepting property as collateral.
For buyers, investors and lending institutions, independent verification of title documents and prior encumbrances can help identify discrepancies before a transaction is completed.
The latest FIRs come as the SIT continues to investigate land-grab cases in Goa. The police investigations will establish the facts and determine the responsibility of those named in the complaints.
