Co‑Accused Sajid Ali Says Congress Leader Directed Him in Jawahar Nagar Land Scam

Thiruvananthapuram: In connection with a major land fraud in Jawahar Nagar, one of the capital’s most posh neighbourhoods, involving several Congress leaders, the Museum Police have taken Sajid Ali who is also known as Anwar, into custody for further questioning. Sajid Ali was already in judicial remand when police decided to question him further about his alleged role in the fraudulent transfer of the property.

According to police sources, during initial questioning, Sajid said he got involved in the scam under the supervision of senior Congress leader Ananthapuri Manikandan. This has led police to widen their inquiry, raising questions about possible political involvement in the case. Authorities are now looking into whether the fraud may be part of a larger scheme to illegally acquire valuable properties.

Sajid is accused of forging documents to carry out the unlawful transfer of ownership of the Jawahar Nagar property. Police will examine Sajid’s apartment in the Artech Lexus complex in Sasthamangalam, where he lives, and the offices of the We Grow Forest Foundation, a non-profit organization he manages. The foundation is under investigation, with officials suspecting it may have been used to hide or funnel money from illegal activities.

Meanwhile, a second accused in the case, Merin Jacob, was taken into custody on Sunday and questioned by the police. A resident of Punalur in Kollam district, Merin allegedly impersonated the daughter of the property’s legal owner, Dora, during the registration at the sub-registrar’s office. Police say she submitted fake identity documents to falsely claim legal ownership of the property.

When asked about her involvement, Merin responded, saying only that “a mistake happened.” Police claim she was introduced to Ananthapuri Manikandan by Said Ali and that she played a key role in the fraudulent registration. She is also thought to have been actively involved with the We Grow Forest Foundation, which police believe might be a front to lend credibility to the scam.

The case revolves around a residential property of high value in Jawahar Nagar. Police suspect that the documents used in the transfer were faked and that impersonation tactics were used to commit the fraud. Initial findings suggest that this may not be an isolated case, with authorities checking if similar methods have been applied in other property transactions.

Police have started a wider investigation into the activities of the accused, including looking through financial records, digital communications, and call data. In light of Said Sajid’s statement implicating a senior political figure, police are considering summoning Ananthapuri Manikandan for questioning. This will depend on the results of the forensic and documentary evidence currently being reviewed.