A major case of alleged land fraud has surfaced in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, where a 25-bigha canal-irrigated agricultural land owned by 92-year-old retired Army Captain Chunni Lal was allegedly sold using forged documents. Police have registered a case under provisions relating to cheating and forgery and launched an investigation into the matter. Investigators are examining how the alleged forged documents were prepared, the circumstances under which the land was registered, and how the mutation process was completed within an unusually short period.
According to the complaint, Captain Chunni Lal is a native of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. After being displaced by the Pong Dam project, he was allotted agricultural land in the Mohangarh area of Jaisalmer as compensation. The land had reportedly been cultivated for years through local farmers, and he regularly received his share of the agricultural produce. The alleged fraud came to light after the cultivator informed him that the land had already been sold to another individual.
The complainant has alleged that unidentified persons manipulated his Aadhaar card and other identity documents and presented another individual as Captain Chunni Lal during the registration process. According to the complaint, the sale deed was executed on June 16, and within just six days, the mutation was also recorded in the revenue records on June 22. The retired Army officer has stated that he had no knowledge of the transaction and had never authorised the sale of his land.
After learning about the alleged fraud, Captain Chunni Lal travelled from Himachal Pradesh to Jaisalmer and approached the concerned administrative and police authorities. Following his complaint, police registered an FIR and initiated an investigation. Officials are examining the land registration records, identity documents, signatures, photographs, biometric records and revenue documents connected with the transaction.
Investigators are also scrutinising the identity verification process followed during the land registration. Authorities are examining whether document verification, biometric authentication and other statutory procedures were carried out in accordance with prescribed legal requirements. If necessary, digital records and other technical evidence may also be subjected to forensic examination.
The complainant’s family has alleged that the incident may not be an isolated case and has expressed suspicion that landowners residing outside Rajasthan, particularly Pong Dam oustees and retired servicemen, are being targeted through fraudulent land transactions. They contend that such owners often remain unaware of changes in land records because they live far from the allotted properties, making them vulnerable to identity-based land fraud.
As part of the investigation, police are also trying to determine whether the alleged fraud involved only forged documents or whether an organised network, intermediaries or other individuals played a role in facilitating the transaction. Authorities are examining all records relating to the land transfer, registration process, revenue documentation and the actions taken at various administrative levels.
The investigation remains ongoing. Police have stated that further legal action will be based on documentary, digital and technical evidence collected during the probe. If investigators uncover the involvement of a larger land fraud network or additional suspects, appropriate legal action will be taken against them in accordance with the law. All allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings, and the final determination of criminal liability will depend on the evidence presented before the competent court.
