Goa’s Land Mafia Grabs Property, Life of Entrepreneur and Legal Heir Threatened

Anjuna, Goa – In a chilling tale of land grabs, corruption, and threats to life, the story of Janardan Khorate, a renowned organic farmer and entrepreneur, has brought to light the dangerous and ever-growing influence of land mafias in Goa. A foreign-owned property in Anjuna, bought by Michael Peters and his wife Karen Peters in 2002, has now become the center of a deadly dispute with the mafia, leaving Janardan Khorate fighting for both his life and his family’s legacy.

Michael Peters, now 76 years old and battling cancer, and his late wife Karen never had children, so their legal heir is Janardan Khorate, an adopted Indian boy and the son of their cousins, David Gower. However, the peaceful life that the Peters family had hoped for in Goa has been shattered by Rajesh Sinari, a notorious land mafia figure, and his girlfriend Browyyn Sinari. Claiming they intended to buy the property, Sinari and his associates instead seized the house, believing that upon Michael’s death, the property would fall into their hands.

Sinari’s plan quickly turned into a nightmare for Janardan when the mafia group began threatening him. “They told me, ‘You’re an outsider. Stay away or we will kill you,’” Janardan recalled, visibly shaken. Janardan made the brave decision to file a complaint with the Anjuna police on October 22, 2024, but despite the serious nature of the case, local authorities took no action. The mafia, knowing about the complaint, escalated their intimidation, sending goons after Janardan and his family.

 

Janardan, desperate to protect his family and the property that rightfully belongs to him, reached out to the UK embassy for assistance, but his plea was met with silence due to what many believe to be local corruption that is favoring Rajesh Sinari. As the mafia began actively hunting him down, Janardan was left with no choice but to hire private security to protect both himself and the property.

On February 8, 2025, Janardan visited the property, determined to ensure it was secure. However, the situation took a bizarre turn when the police arrived, responding to a supposed robbery call to the 112 emergency control room. Inspector Suraj Gawas interrogated Janardan and, although he provided all the necessary legal documents, including the original 2002 sale deed, the Power of Attorney (POA), and Michael Peters’ will, no charges were filed against the mafia. Instead, Sinari and his girlfriend Browyyn used their influence to manipulate the police into filing a fake robbery charge against Janardan, further endangering his life.

“I showed them everything—the documents, the legal proof that I am the rightful heir,” Janardan said. “But the police didn’t act on it. And now, Rajesh Sinari’s goons are everywhere.”

Despite holding the legal documents and being the rightful heir, Janardan’s struggle for justice is an uphill battle against a powerful land mafia syndicate that seems to have the local authorities in its pocket. His life is at risk every day, and the silence from the police and the indifference of the justice system have only fueled his growing fear.

Known as India’s youngest organic farmer and a trailblazer in the organic industry, Janardan Khorate’s reputation as a successful entrepreneur is now overshadowed by the constant threats and attacks on his life. Being adopted by a foreign family and having no real connection to Goa, his situation is all the more precarious.

“The police know who is behind all this,” Janardan explained, frustration evident in his voice. “But they won’t take action. It’s like they’re protecting the mafia, not me. How can I trust the system when it is clearly broken?”

For now, Janardan remains on edge, with his safety and his family’s legacy hanging in the balance. The case of Michael Peters’ property highlights the rampant corruption and unchecked power of land mafia in Goa, an issue that has long plagued the state but is now threatening the lives of innocent people.