MAPUSA
Mapusa Police on Friday arrested a third individual in connection with the Cunchelim land scam, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to three.
The third accused, Ravi Chavan joins Ramesh Rao, an employee of the Mapusa Municipal Council, and Shakil Sheikh, who were arrested earlier for their alleged involvement in the fraudulent sale of government-acquired Comunidade land in Cunchelim.
The scam came to light after several individuals were duped into purchasing parcels of land belonging to the Cunchelim Comunidade.
Many unsuspecting buyers constructed houses on these plots, only to have them demolished by the State administration on the grounds of illegal construction.
Police are still searching for three additional suspects linked to the case: Raju Mandrekar, Raja Anthony, and Nobert Serrao, who is reported to be a substitute attorney of the Cunchelim Comunidade.
All three remain at large, and efforts are underway to apprehend them.
The Cunchelim land scam has left several families in financial and emotional turmoil.
The incident has also raised concerns about the misuse of Comunidade land and the need for stricter oversight to prevent such scams in the future.
