The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched an extensive investigation into one of Rajasthan’s most notorious land fraud cases, carrying out searches at multiple locations in Jaipur tied to alleged “land mafia” Gyan Chand Agarwal and his network of associates.
The operations, conducted in the first week of September, were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with allegations that Agarwal orchestrated a sprawling land scam that spanned years and implicated investors, corporate houses, and unsuspecting individuals.
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Agarwal, who is already facing over 300 First Information Reports (FIRs) in Jaipur alone, has long been accused of manipulating the real estate market by forging documents and reselling the same parcels of land to multiple buyers. According to investigators, the scale of the alleged fraud may exceed ₹150 crore.
Forged Documents and Investor Deception
Police records suggest Agarwal built a lucrative operation by exploiting investor trust in Rajasthan’s booming land market. Working with associates, he allegedly prepared counterfeit land deeds and lured buyers with assurances of legitimate ownership. The same properties, however, were often resold multiple times, creating an intricate web of disputes and financial loss.
The ED alleges that Agarwal not only pocketed money from potential buyers without transferring land titles but also diverted funds into shell companies, enabling cross-border transactions. Officials said several arrest warrants against him remain pending, underscoring the persistence of the allegations and the challenges of law enforcement in cracking down on entrenched land fraud networks.
Cash, Shell Companies, and Overseas Links
During the two-day search operation, investigators recovered unaccounted cash, property documents, and files related to foreign company acquisitions. Authorities also seized hard disks and mobile phones, which preliminary assessments indicate contain evidence of fund diversions abroad.
Officials believe the money trail extends beyond India, with investments linked to mining and other business ventures. The ED described the searches as a “significant step” in dismantling what it characterized as a sophisticated and deep-rooted land scam with potential national and international dimensions.
While the ED’s probe is still underway, the case highlights enduring vulnerabilities in India’s property market, where fraudulent land sales continue to ensnare investors and stretch legal enforcement capacities. For Jaipur, the case has become emblematic of the intersection of organized crime, real estate speculation, and systemic loopholes in land governance.