Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Police File FIR in High-Value Land Fraud Case
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar police have officially registered a First Information Report (FIR) against two individuals in connection with a complex land fraud case involving a prime property valued at hundreds of crores of rupees. The accused include Mir Mehmood Ali Basharat Ali Khan, who asserts he is a descendant of the historic Salar Jung family from Hyderabad, and Jawed Rasul Shaikh, who serves as the driver for Member of Parliament Sandipan Bhumare.
Charges and Legal Framework
The FIR was filed based on a detailed complaint submitted by Mujahid Iqbal Khan, a 52-year-old lawyer based in Parbhani. The charges levied against the accused are severe and multifaceted, encompassing cheating, criminal breach of trust, and criminal intimidation. The case has been formally registered at the Jawahar Nagar police station under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which include:
- Section 316(2) for criminal breach of trust
- Section 318(3) for cheating
- Section 351(2) for criminal intimidation
- Section 3(5) for common intention
Police Commissioner Pravin Pawar confirmed the registration, stating, "The FIR is based on the complaint lodged by the advocate. An in-detail preliminary inquiry has been conducted by the economic offences wing (EOW) of the city police, before proceeding ahead with the FIR." Notably, this legal action comes nearly three years after the complainant initially approached the then commissioner of police, indicating a prolonged investigative process.
Background of the Land Dispute
At the heart of this controversy is a substantial nine-acre land parcel located at Survey No. 3, CTS No. 14844/A and 14844/B in the Bagesherjung, Dawoodpura area. This property holds significant financial value, with an estimated ready reckoner value of approximately Rs 241 crore and a purported market value that could reach as high as Rs 550 crore.
According to the complaint, the legal entanglement began in 2015 when Mir Mehmood Ali Khan approached the complainant, Mujahid Iqbal Khan, seeking legal representation for a protracted battle over the land. This dispute was part of an ancestral claim involving the "Do Aana Group" and ongoing litigation against Chenmal Pannalal Kothari.
Allegations of Fraudulent Agreements
The complainant alleges that Mir Mehmood Ali Khan, citing financial difficulties, entered into an agreement with him. Initially, Khan offered three acres of the land at a rate of Rs 90.45 lakh per acre in exchange for legal services and financial support. This agreement was later expanded on January 25, 2016, to encompass the entire nine-acre plot.
Subsequently, an Agreement to Sale was notarized in Hyderabad, and a "Memorandum of Oral Hiba" (a gift deed) was executed in favor of the complainant. Over the following eight years, the complainant claims to have disbursed between Rs 90 lakh and Rs 1 crore through various means, including cash payments, bank transactions, and RTGS transfers. These funds were purportedly used to cover litigation expenses and Khan's personal needs.
Multiple legal documents were executed during this period to solidify the complainant's claims, including a revised Hiba-nama in 2017 and a registered irrevocable General Power of Attorney dated July 26, 2021. After extensive legal proceedings, the revenue minister ruled in favor of Khan in January 2023, and his name was officially entered into the property record (PR card) in February 2023.
Alleged Fraudulent Transfer and Intimidation
Despite these agreements and legal victories, the complainant alleges that Khan fraudulently transferred the same land to Jawed Rasul Shaikh through another Hiba-nama. This alleged deceit came to light in June 2023 when the complainant visited the property and encountered Shaikh. During this encounter, Shaikh is accused of threatening the complainant with dire consequences if he continued to pursue the matter.
The complainant asserts that he was systematically cheated, resulting in the loss of both his substantial financial investment and the land rights he had secured after years of dedicated legal effort. He further suspects that the accused may have engaged in similar fraudulent transactions involving other land parcels.
Political Reactions and Calls for Action
The case has attracted attention from political figures, with former leader of the opposition Ambadas Danve commenting on the matter. Danve stated, "This FIR is too little, too late. We had made a representation to the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and brought to his notice that this prime land was illegally transferred to a sitting MP and his MLA son's driver. CM had asked for registering FIR, which finally got registered. Now, the mastermind of these transactions should be identified and arrested."
Efforts to reach Jawed Rasul Shaikh for his comments have been unsuccessful despite repeated attempts. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities focusing on uncovering the full extent of the alleged fraud and ensuring that justice is served in this high-stakes land dispute.
