A major crackdown on a long-pending land fraud case has led to the arrest of a former sub-divisional revenue officer by the Gujarat CID in connection with an alleged ₹1.29 crore land scam involving irregular certification of land records dating back to 2008. The accused, Rohit Pakhwala, is alleged to have misused his official position while handling sensitive land documentation in Narmada district.
According to the findings of the investigation, the case pertains to land parcels under Survey Numbers 33, 35, 41, and 42 in Bakhar village. Officials allege that land note number 504 was cancelled on June 15, 1999, without proper verification of the applicant’s eligibility. Later, acting on a single application, the accused is said to have certified land note number 670 on December 10, 2008, in violation of established government rules and procedural guidelines.
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The irregular certification allegedly resulted in financial losses estimated at ₹1.29 crore to the government exchequer. Investigators believe that the misuse of authority enabled the creation of erroneous land records, which were later used to facilitate unlawful financial advantage and manipulation of official property documentation.
Acting on credible inputs, the Criminal Investigation Department carried out a targeted operation in Narmada district and apprehended the accused during a coordinated enforcement action. The arrest was made following sustained surveillance and verification of multiple records connected to the disputed land entries.
During the operation, officials recovered several digital devices including mobile phones, SIM cards, and multiple email IDs believed to have been used for managing fraudulent documentation and online filing of records. Authorities stated that these tools played a key role in facilitating communication and execution of the alleged scam.
Investigators also found that the accused allegedly used OTP-based verification methods and forged identity documents to create and operate shell companies, which were later used to route transactions and claim improper financial benefits under government schemes.
A joint team of state tax authorities and investigative agencies has confirmed that the network may have extended beyond Gujarat, with indications of similar fraudulent structures operating in other states. Officials are currently tracing financial trails and bank account linkages to identify additional members of the alleged racket.
Following the arrest, authorities reiterated that strict action will continue against individuals and networks involved in land fraud and financial irregularities. The department has urged citizens to verify land records and documentation carefully before engaging in any property-related transactions.
The accused has been produced before the court and remanded for further questioning. Investigators are preparing a detailed chargesheet as part of the ongoing probe into the wider conspiracy and administrative lapses surrounding the case.
Officials said the investigation originated from a routine audit of land record discrepancies flagged several years ago, which later escalated into a detailed probe after inconsistencies were identified in property mutation entries and certification approvals. The case remained under review for an extended period due to the complexity of verifying historical land records dating back more than a decade. As evidence accumulated through document verification and cross-checking of revenue records, the involvement of former officials in irregular certification processes came under scrutiny.
Officials also noted that the alleged irregularities involved violations of multiple legal provisions relating to forgery, criminal conspiracy, cheating, and misuse of official authority under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. The findings have raised concerns over systemic loopholes in land record management and the potential for misuse of administrative discretion in sensitive revenue matters. Authorities emphasized that strengthening digital verification systems and improving accountability mechanisms is essential to prevent similar frauds in the future.
The department further stated that intensified enforcement actions against land-related frauds and financial irregularities will continue across districts, with special focus on identifying shell entities and monitoring suspicious transactions linked to property records. Officials reiterated their commitment to safeguarding public assets and ensuring transparency in revenue administration, adding that coordinated inter-agency efforts are being strengthened to dismantle organised networks involved in such scams.
Authorities confirmed that further arrests cannot be ruled out as financial trail analysis and forensic audits continue across multiple linked entities.
