Mumbai Crime Branch Cracks Down on Elaborate Document Forgery Ring
The Mumbai City Crime Branch's specialized property cell has made a significant breakthrough in a sophisticated forgery case, apprehending a 63-year-old woman accused of orchestrating an elaborate scheme involving counterfeit government documents. The arrest marks a crucial development in an investigation that has exposed vulnerabilities in official document verification processes.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
The arrested individual has been identified as Sultana Shaikh, a resident of Dahisar in Mumbai. According to police officials, Shaikh stands accused of creating a fraudulent power of attorney document that featured forged signatures of government officials alongside fabricated stamps and seals from various government offices. The investigation has now expanded to include a search for her alleged accomplices, Sameera Khan and Amit Tayde, who remain at large as authorities intensify their manhunt.
This complex case first came to light during proceedings at the Bombay High Court, where a legal dispute between Shaikh Constructions and Romell Housing revealed suspicious documentation. Court records showed that multiple documents bore identical registration numbers, raising immediate red flags about their authenticity. Acting on these discrepancies, the court issued a formal order on October 9, 2025, mandating a thorough verification process.
Uncovering the Forgery Operation
The subsequent investigation was conducted by the Joint Deputy Registrar's Office in Borivli, which made a startling discovery: the documents in question were completely absent from official government records. Forensic examination revealed that the materials appeared to be professionally forged, complete with counterfeit signatures and fabricated government seals designed to mimic authentic documentation.
Following this revelation, Vasant Roham from the Joint Deputy Registrar's Office filed an official complaint with law enforcement authorities. The complaint detailed how a fake irrevocable power of attorney, dated May 25, 2010, had been created using forged signatures of the deputy registrar alongside fabricated seals and stamps from multiple government offices. This document was allegedly intended to facilitate fraudulent property transactions and financial gains through misrepresentation.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigation
Police authorities have emphasized that this case highlights significant concerns about document security and verification protocols within government systems. The sophistication of the forgery operation suggests the involvement of individuals with specialized knowledge of official documentation procedures and access to professional printing equipment capable of replicating government seals and stamps.
Investigators are now working to determine the full scope of the fraudulent activities, including how many documents may have been forged, the intended purposes of these counterfeit materials, and whether additional individuals beyond the identified suspects were involved in the scheme. The Mumbai Crime Branch has assured the public that they are pursuing all leads vigorously to ensure complete accountability for those responsible.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust document verification systems and the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating sophisticated financial and property-related fraud. As the investigation continues, authorities are examining whether similar forged documents may have been used in other transactions, potentially affecting multiple property deals and legal agreements across the Mumbai region.
