Goa, June 21 -- Mohammad Suhail, alias Michael, a 48-year-old resident of Pilar, Goa-originally from Davangiri, Karnataka-was arrested by the Crime Branch near a petrol pump in Quepem on June 20. Suhail, who had been absconding for nearly two years, is considered one of Goa's most notorious land grab masterminds.

A habitual offender, Suhail faces at least 13 criminal cases registered between 2012 and 2023 at multiple police stations, including the Special Investigation Team (SIT), Economic Offences Cell (EOC), Mapusa, and Porvorim.

According to investigators, Suhail and his network systematically targeted unattended or disputed properties-particularly those whose rightful owners were deceased or living abroad. Using forged documents and...