Kanpur: Following a massive fraud discovery in Kanpur, the Income Tax Department has uncovered significant irregularities at the Kanpur Dehat registry office. On Wednesday, a departmental team conducted a five-hour survey at the Akbarpur registry office and identified discrepancies totaling around ₹500 crore, leading to an estimated ₹300 crore tax loss.
Manipulated PAN Numbers and Mobile Details
Sources indicate that the irregularities involved deliberate manipulation of PAN numbers and mobile details. Nearly one thousand PAN records contained incorrect mobile numbers, apparently intended to mislead the Income Tax Department and obscure digital records and stamp duty calculations. The team examined both digital and manual records, verified stamp duty calculations, and assessed data transfer processes as part of the investigation.
Part of a Larger ₹11,000 Crore Investigation
According to official sources, similar irregularities had previously been identified in Kanpur, totaling ₹11,000 crore. The department conducted a series of surveys: Zone-1 on 26 December revealed ₹2,500 crore in discrepancies; Zone-2 on 30 December exposed ₹1,100 crore; Zone-3 uncovered ₹3,500 crore; and Zone-4 revealed ₹4,000 crore. The Kanpur Dehat discovery is considered part of this continuing investigation.
Income Tax Team Leads the Investigation
The Akbarpur registry inspection was conducted under the directives of the Income Tax Director (Information & Criminal Investigation), led by Deputy Director Vimlesh Rai and Income Tax Officer Avinash Sonwani. A substantial police presence was maintained while officials scrutinized registry records from the past five years.
The survey team included Income Tax Inspectors Kuldeep Gupta, Dev Anant Shrivastava, Ravish Kumar, and Vinod Keshari. The team analyzed discrepancies in both documentation and digital records. Officials noted that as the investigation progresses, the full extent of the fraud and tax impact is expected to become clearer.
Officials Issue Notices and Seek Explanations
Local sources confirmed that the fraudulent methods previously identified in Kanpur were replicated in Kanpur Dehat. The Income Tax Department noted that registry offices were deliberately manipulated, with false entries intended to mislead investors and other stakeholders.
Following the action, notices have been issued to the concerned officials asking them to submit their responses. Authorities emphasized that the step was necessary to ensure financial transparency in real estate transactions and registry processes, and to prevent tax evasion and fraudulent practices.
Calls for Greater Transparency in Property Transactions
Experts say that such incidents highlight the need for continuous monitoring of real estate transactions, strict compliance with regulatory norms, and verification of digital records to maintain credibility and prevent financial misconduct.
This operation has also served as a warning to residents of Kanpur and Kanpur Dehat, stressing the importance of complete transparency and legal verification in all property and registry dealings. The Income Tax Department may undertake further actions in the coming days to strengthen oversight and curb similar frauds in the real estate sector.
