Bilaspur police have arrested a property dealer accused of taking ₹10 lakh for a land deal that was never registered.
How Did the Alleged Fraud Begin?
The case concerns a land transaction involving property dealer Prafulla Jha and complainant Vishal Keshri, a resident of Dayalband in Bilaspur.
According to the complaint, an agreement was reached on December 10, 2025, to purchase land at ₹70 lakh per acre. Keshri allegedly paid ₹10 lakh in advance through Union Bank of India. The complainant claimed that Jha subsequently delayed the registration despite receiving the payment.
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Who Owned the Land?
Keshri alleged that Jha had agreed to sell land recorded in the name of Chandrakali Bai, a woman belonging to the Gond tribal community. The accused reportedly claimed that he possessed the authority to sell the property through a power of attorney.
However, questions later arose about the validity of that authorisation and his right to sell the land. The agreement also reportedly included land recorded under other individuals’ names, including a 0.2430-hectare parcel in Sakri tehsil.
What Action Did Police Take?
Following the dispute, Keshri approached Civil Lines police station. Police registered a case against Jha under Sections 318(4), 336, 338 and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigators subsequently arrested the accused property dealer. Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Pankaj Patel confirmed that the arrest followed the complaint.
Are Other Land Deals Under Investigation?
The complainant alleged that another agreement involving land in the Masanganj and Torwa areas was executed on December 15, 2025, but registration was not completed. He also lodged another FIR against Jha on May 10, 2026. Police are examining the agreements, suspected forged documents and possible complaints from other buyers.
The420 Insight: The case highlights the importance of verifying land ownership, the validity of powers of attorney and registration documents before making advance payments. Buyers should independently check revenue records and obtain legal verification before committing substantial funds to property transactions.
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