IGP warns public: Beware of land deed racketeers

by Sarath Malalasekera

Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando severely warned the public who are planning to purchase lands as there is an organised gang, not hardcore criminals, who prepare, forged deeds and sell the same land to several people for a colossal amount of money.

The special police team deployed by the IGP had recently detected that one land had been sold to three persons for a sum of Rs. 60 million.

The IGP requested the media to inform the public before they purchase any land to check with the land registry with the assistance of a lawyer to ascertain whether the land is free from all encumbrances.

These organised gangs involved in forged deed rackets are not underworld criminals, but they pretend to be underworld gang leaders in order to put through their illegal transactions.

"We have collected several vital clues to these forged deed transactions. Several Lawyers and some of the employees of the Land Registrar are alleged to have involved in this massive racket deceiving the masses. Their arrest is imminent," IGP Cahandra Fernando emphasised.

The IGP disclosed these issues at a press conference held at the IGP's Chambers yesterday morning.

Senior DIG Jayantha Wickremaratne, DIGs K.P.P. Pathirana, S.M. Wickremasinghe, Asoka Wijetilleke, Senior SPs Sarath Lugoda, Reinzie Perera, M.A. Kamaldeen, ASP Priyantha Jayakody, Inspector A.L.A. Nafeer and SI Kamal Abeysinghe of the Police Public Relation Division were present at the conference.

The IGP appealed to the public to cooperate with the police and assist the law enforcing officers to arrest the suspects who are involved in these illegal deed transactions.

"We have arrested some of the suspects who are involved in this illegal deed racket. They will be produced before court and move for remand until the completion of the ongoing investigations," the IGP added.

Meanwhile, Senior DIG Jayantha Wickremaratne said that the special police squad deployed by him in the Southern Range had arrested nine notorious criminals including an army deserter who are wanted in connection with several killings and lootings in the South.

After arresting these nine suspects, the Police had solved 28 cases, recovered Rs.1.4 million and ten weapons including a T 56, Senior DIG Wickremaratne said.

Western Province South DIG K.P.P. Pathirana told the media that the special joint operation squad deployed by him arrested a number one criminal, Atta Indika, who had escaped from the prison custody and who has been evading arrest for the last two years. Later he was killed by the police when he attempted to escape again from the police custody.

The special police squad also had arrested 38 suspects who are wanted in connection with a number of cases including killings, DIG Pathirana said.

The same special police squad arrested six suspects including three women who are alleged to have been involved in the murder of Lt. Col. Muthalif on June 27.

"We have solved ten cases and recovered several weapons and Rs.8 lakhs from the possession of the suspects who were arrested," DIG Pathirana added.

Investigations also revealed that the LTTE suspects had planned to attack the Ratmalana Air port, DIG Pathirana said.

Western Province North DIG Asoka Wijetilleke said that his special squad led by ASP Priyantha Jayakody had arrested nine criminals, including an army deserter, who are wanted in connection with several incidents including four killings.

"We have recovered ten weapons, Rs.550,000 worth of gold, two vehicles, a motor cycle and eight hand phones from the possession of the suspect arrested by the special squad," DIG Wijetilleke said.

These organised gangs are used to rent out houses and used them as "safe houses" and operate crimes. DIG Wijetilleke appealed to the public not to rent out their houses to outsiders without obtaining their real status.