Panaji: The Special Investigation Team of Crime Branch on Friday confirmed that the accused arrested in land grabbing cases have confessed involvement of some politicians in the crime.
The SIT has arrested three accused on Thursday and Friday in connection with the series of land grabbing cases. One of the accused was arrested outside the Mumbai Airport, after he was fleeing from one country to another to avoid the arrest.
Inspector General of Police Omvir Singh Bishnoi told reporters on Friday that right now the investigating officer has confessional statement of the accused.
When asked whether they have named any politicians, the IGP said “we are investigating that part also.”
“They (accused) have named few politicians . Before arresting anybody (politicians), I will not name them (politicians),” he commented.
Bishnoi said that the SIT has arrested Sandric Fernandes and Rajkumar Maithi on Friday, while another accused Royson Rodrigues was arrested outside Mumbai Airport on Thursday.
The IGP said that Royson, who is a seaman by profession had absconded abroad and had taken asylum at Dubai (UAE).
Bishnoi said that Maithi is a mastermind in the landgrabbing case and had illegally converted at least 95 different properties.
He said that Maithi was also absconding since long after several cases were filed against him at Mapusa police station.
Bishnoi said that at least 15 accused have been arrested so far by the SIT led by Superintendent of Police Nidhi Vasan, which is formed to investigate into the land grabbing instances.
He said that few of the accused who have been released on bail by the court in other cases will be re-arrested, if their involvement is found in the new cases.
