Disputed, abandoned properties targeted using forged documents, two held in Malkajgiri

A land-fraud network of people targeting disputed and abandoned properties whose owners or legal heirs could be impersonated was busted by the Malkajgiri police. Officers arrested two persons and seized forged property documents, 22 fake stamps and seals and nine knives.

The accused were identified as 40-year-old Mohd. Khaja Pasha, a real estate broker from Moula Ali, and 38-year-old Mohammed Zulfikhar Ali alias Chandu, a real estate businessman from Lalaguda. A third accused, Vinod Kumar of Alwal, is absconding.

The racket came to light after the Malkajgiri Zone Special Operations Team (SOT) and Malkajgiri police searched Pasha’s residence at Chanda Bagh in Moula Ali on Tuesday (October 6, 2026).

The police recovered nine knives, land documents suspected to be forged, blank bond papers and fake revenue stamps from the house. Pasha, described by police as a rowdy-sheeter previously involved in 11 cases, was taken into custody.

Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B. Sumathi said that during questioning, Pasha allegedly disclosed that Zulfikhar assisted him in preparing fake land agreements and other documents. The police subsequently searched Zulfikhar’s residence at the Lalaguda Railway Quarters and recovered property documents suspected to be forged, blank bond papers, a computer, a colour printer and 22 rubber stamps and seals.

“The seals purportedly belonged to various authorities, including three from Sub-Registrar offices in Hyderabad East, four from the Gram Panchayat office at Narsampet in Warangal, one of the Additional Inspector General of Stamps in Hyderabad and two carrying purported signatures of officers,” said the officer, adding that they also found various seals.

Making of the fraud

The investigators said the network’s fraud allegedly begins by identifying disputed, abandoned or otherwise vulnerable properties. This is followed by collecting details of the original owners and their legal heirs, along with certified copies of title and revenue records, legal-heir certificates and death certificates.

Forged sale papers

Pasha allegedly supplied these records and fabricated revenue stamps to Zulfikhar, who in turn worked with Vinod Kumar to prepare forged sale papers, bond papers and identity documents, including Aadhaar cards and passports.

The forged records were allegedly used to impersonate genuine owners or their legal heirs and attempt the sale, registration or mortgage of properties, creating false claims over the land.

“We are now examining the seized material to identify the properties and survey numbers involved and determine whether the documents had already been used for fraudulent transactions, cheating, impersonation or creation of false title claims,” added the officer.

The investigators are also examining the purpose of the nine knives seized from Pasha’s residence, including whether they were intended to intimidate people involved in land disputes. Efforts are under way to trace Vinod Kumar and identify other associates and beneficiaries of the suspected network.