EOW registers third FIR in land fraud case against Sheikh Irfan in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) registered a third FIR against Sheikh Irfan Sheikh Shafik, who had allegedly posed as a land dealer and duped several people. In the latest FIR, Irfan, his father, a retired building inspector, his brother and mother, along with others, were booked for allegedly cheating a retired police sub-inspector of Rs 1.3 crore in a land deal. The police have booked the accused for cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy.Four accused arrested in an earlier case — Gausiya Begum Sheikh Shafik, Hazra Samreen Sheikh (daughter of Sheikh Shafik), Shahista Tabsum Sher Khan (wife of Sheikh Salman), and Sheikh Shafik alias Sheikh Sahab, a retired building inspector — were produced before the holiday court on Sunday and remanded in magisterial custody. The whereabouts of the main accused, Sheikh Irfan, is still not known.The latest FIR was lodged on the complaint of Gorakh Chavan (60), a retired sub-inspector who now practises as an advocate at the district court in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Chavan alleged that Irfan and his associates took Rs 1.3 crore from him and his friend Yasin Khan Mehmood Khan on the pretext of selling land and plots, but neither executed a sale deed nor returned the money.The police named Sheikh Irfan Sheikh Shafik, his father Sheikh Shafik alias Sheikh Sahab, his mother Gausiya Begum Sheikh Shafik, brother Sheikh Salman Sheikh Shafik, Sheikh Jameel Sheikh Ghulam Rasul and Sheikh Imran Sheikh Gaffar as accused.According to the complaint, Chavan was introduced to Irfan in 2023 through Yasin Khan, who said Irfan dealt in land transactions. Irfan allegedly showed them land measuring around 18.7 R in survey number 19/1 at Chaus Colony in Himayat Bagh, and claimed it had been purchased in the name of his employee Sheikh Jameel.Trusting his claims, the complainant and his friend agreed to purchase the land for Rs 2 crore. Between Feb 15 and 20, 2024, they allegedly paid Rs 1.3 crore to Irfan and his family members through RTGS transfers and cash. Irfan also gave a written acknowledgment confirming receipt of the amount.When the complainant demanded execution of a registered sale deed, Irfan allegedly delayed the process. He later issued several cheques promising repayment, but the cheques were dishonoured as the account was either closed or lacked balance.The accused then allegedly tried to settle the matter by offering other properties through agreements, GPA documents and temporary arrangements, including shops at Salman Hall and a row house property, but no property was transferred, and possession was never given.Chavan also alleged that when they demanded their money back, Irfan's father threatened his associate with a revolver.EOW inspector Sambhaji Pawar said this was the third case registered against the accused in similar land fraud cases. "Four accused have been arrested and remanded to magestirial custody. Efforts are on to trace the man accused," Pawar said.