A SIT in Dehradun has exposed a complex 'white-collar syndicate' involving lawyers, government officials, and property dealers engaged in fraudulent property registrations. The estimated value of the properties involved in this fake registry scandal stands at Rs 400 crore, with the potential for even more extensive ramifications. The scam, which surfaced after a surprise visit by the Chief Minister to the registrar's office, revealed multiple forgeries in documents. The SIT is diligently investigating and has made several arrests, intending to prosecute the accused under the Gangster Act due to their organized operations. They are also examining links to past thefts of crucial land records.
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In the heart of the Dehradun region, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has unravelled a complex web of deceit within the infamous fake registry scandal. This intricate scheme involves a 'white-collar consortium' comprised of lawyers, government officials, and property dealers engaged in fraudulent property registrations. The assessed total worth of these fraudulent properties stands at a staggering Rs 400 crore, though the true magnitude of this audacious scam could potentially dwarf this figure, as per a senior SIT official. The scandal first came to public attention last month when Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted an impromptu inspection of the registrar's office.
In the wake of this surprise visit, the Dehradun district magistrate established a committee to scrutinize select registry cases. This meticulous examination unearthed a multitude of forgeries, including inconsistencies in ink, misplacement of pages, and irregularities in stamping. A high-ranking police officer involved in the case has hinted that the available evidence suggests the inception of this intricate scam around the years 2017–18. However, given the meticulous planning and execution involved, it wouldn't be surprising if the roots of this operation extended further back in time.
Sarvesh Panwar, the head of the SIT, shed light on the estimation of property values. These estimates, based on the prevailing circle rates, might significantly underestimate the actual market values. The modus operandi of the syndicate primarily targeted lands that fell within the purview of ceiling regulations or were situated within tea estates. Panwar further revealed that the SIT had successfully concluded 60% of its exhaustive investigation, with additional arrests on the horizon. The investigative team has identified several more individuals directly implicated in this intricate web of deceit.
Due to the organized and systematic nature of their activities, which closely resemble the workings of a criminal syndicate, it is highly likely that the accused will face prosecution under the stringent Gangster Act. As of now, the SIT has apprehended nine individuals, including two lawyers, staff members from the registrar's office, and security personnel responsible for safeguarding the record repository. These individuals have been slapped with charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In addition to the primary investigation, the SIT is diligently exploring potential links between the syndicate members and a significant incident from the past—the theft of index registers containing vital land transaction records in Dehradun, spanning the years from 1959 to 2007.
This audacious theft occurred in 2009, resulting in the filing of a First Information Report (FIR). However, despite years passing since this incident, no breakthrough has been achieved thus far. Suspicion looms over the complicity of the registrar's office staff in the pilfering of these index registers, which house crucial land record data. Ultimately, this investigation underscores the vital importance of transparency and integrity in property dealings, safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders and reinforcing trust in the system.
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