A land fraud involving more than ₹1 crore has come to light in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, where a man has been arrested for allegedly cheating a woman doctor by promising to sell her land using forged documents and false ownership claims. Police have seized multiple alleged forged sale agreements, sale deeds, and bank transaction records during the investigation. The accused has been produced before a court, while further investigation is underway.
According to police, the accused approached the doctor with an offer to sell a 3,000-square-foot plot located in Pathargadia Mouza under the Chandaka police station limits. Believing the transaction to be genuine, the doctor paid an advance amount. The accused later allegedly persuaded her to transfer much larger sums through multiple bank transactions on various pretexts.
Investigators said that to make the transaction appear legitimate, the accused arranged for three other individuals to execute sale deeds on his behalf. However, the investigation revealed that these individuals were not the actual owners of the property. As a result, neither possession of the land was handed over to the doctor nor was the Record of Rights (RoR) transferred in her name.
Police further alleged that despite failing to complete the first transaction, the accused convinced the doctor to enter into another agreement for the purchase of an additional 6,000-square-foot plot. He allegedly collected further advance payments but once again failed to transfer the property or complete the sale. Investigators estimate that the doctor was defrauded of more than ₹1 crore through the two fraudulent land deals.
During the investigation, police seized several alleged sale agreements, registered sale deeds, and bank records. Preliminary scrutiny of the financial documents indicated that substantial amounts transferred by the doctor were credited to the bank accounts of the accused and his wife. Investigators are now examining the money trail to determine how the funds were used and whether additional beneficiaries were involved.
According to police, the accused allegedly admitted to the fraud during questioning. Investigators also found that he has a previous criminal case registered at Parjang Police Station in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district. Police are now reviewing his past activities and other property transactions to determine whether additional victims may have been targeted using a similar modus operandi.
Investigators are also examining whether any other individuals were involved in the alleged fraud. If evidence of the involvement of accomplices emerges during the investigation, appropriate legal action will be initiated against them as well.
Police have advised the public to independently verify land ownership records, the Record of Rights (RoR), registered sale deeds, and all other legal property documents before making any payment in real estate transactions. Officials said that conducting proper due diligence and obtaining legal verification before purchasing property can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to such financial fraud. The investigation into the case is continuing.
