Residents of Prayagraj may have seen Bollywood films in which fraudsters sell iconic government buildings or even the Taj Mahal. However, a real-life case in the city has proved to be no less astonishing.
In a shocking incident, fraudsters allegedly sold an entire stretch of government land recorded as a “mountain” in the revenue records. The case has sent shockwaves through the administration and government officials.
The alleged land-grabbing scam came to light in the Bara tehsil area of Prayagraj, where land worth crores of rupees, recorded in revenue records as government “mountain” land, was fraudulently transferred to private individuals and later sold.
Officials said on Monday that, based on a complaint filed by the area’s Lekhpal, police have registered an FIR against 19 individuals, including the director of a private company, at Lalapur police station.
The incident pertains to Golhaiya village in Bara tehsil. The disputed land, recorded as Khasra No. 01 and measuring 83 bighas and 19 biswas (approximately 19.163 hectares), was classified in the revenue records as “mountain,” indicating government-owned public land.
It is alleged that the accused manipulated official records through fraudulent means to have the land transferred to their names before selling it.
After the administration became aware of the alleged scam, an investigation was launched. Once the inquiry confirmed the irregularities, the names of the private account holders were cancelled, and the land was restored to government ownership.
Based on the complaint lodged by Lekhpal Prachi Singh Parihar, Lalapur police have registered a case under relevant sections of the law against 19 accused.
The accused include former recorded landholders, purchasers of the land and a private company. Police said a detailed investigation is underway.
Revenue records, land transfer documents and other related records will be thoroughly examined and strict legal action will be taken against those found guilty, said an official of the District Administration.