Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Sep 7: Royson Rodrigues, the alleged mastermind of a high-profile land grab racket in Goa, has been granted bail in two cases after a local court ruled that the prosecution failed to justify the need for his continued custody.
Rodrigues, accused of forging property documents and orchestrating a multi-crore land scam, was represented by Advocate Sahil Sardesai before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Mapusa.
During the hearing, the Investigating Officer (IO) opposed the bail plea, calling Rodrigues the “kingpin of a land grab syndicate” and arguing that his release could jeopardize the ongoing investigation. The IO claimed that Rodrigues had not cooperated with authorities and warned that he could tamper with evidence, threaten witnesses, and destroy forged documents that were yet to be recovered.
The prosecution added that the alleged racket had victimized innocent citizens through fraudulent property transactions, involving forged stamp papers and illegal cash dealings, severely damaging Goa’s economy and public trust in government departments.
However, Magistrate Suman Gad observed that the investigating agency failed to provide substantial grounds to justify Rodrigues’ extended detention.
“There is no instance stated by the IO which would create an apprehension, prima facie, that the accused will commit a similar offence or tamper with the evidence,” the court noted in its bail order.
The court ruled that the objections could be addressed by imposing suitable bail conditions, and subsequently granted Rodrigues bail.
Rodrigues had been in judicial custody for his alleged role in a wider land grab syndicate that is currently under multiple investigations.
Background:
Rodrigues and his associates are suspected to be involved in forging land ownership records, targeting vacant or disputed properties, and illegally transferring titles—actions that allegedly challenged the integrity of multiple state departments.
His release comes amid growing calls for stricter safeguards against land frauds in Goa, a state that has seen a surge in property-related scams in recent years.