Kanpur: In a major development in the alleged illegal sale of government and Nazul land worth nearly ₹1000 crore in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur, investigators have arrested another accused who had been absconding for months.
The accused, Rev Deepak Kumar, who carried a reward of ₹25,000, was arrested from Amritsar in Punjab in connection with the high-profile land fraud case involving allegedly forged documents and fraudulent sale agreements.
Massive Valuation Gap Triggers Departmental Inquiry
According to investigators, the case revolves around a prime Nazul and government-owned property located in Kanpur’s Civil Lines area. Authorities estimate the market value of the disputed land to be around ₹1000 crore. The accused are alleged to have prepared forged documents and used fabricated legal paperwork to facilitate the transfer of the land to private individuals through a sale agreement reportedly executed for just ₹2.5 crore.
The matter first surfaced after officials detected serious irregularities in the ownership records and documentation linked to the property. A departmental inquiry was subsequently initiated at the revenue administration level. Preliminary findings reportedly confirmed document manipulation and alleged forgery, following which a formal case was registered against multiple individuals accused of tampering with government land records and attempting unlawful transfer of public property.
Syndicate Network and Status of Co-Accused
Investigators believe the accused allegedly used forged sale agreements, manipulated records, and fabricated supporting documents to make the transaction appear legally valid. Officials suspect the operation was carefully planned and executed through a coordinated network involving multiple individuals with knowledge of documentation and land procedures.
One of the accused, Sunil Masih, is already in judicial custody, while another accused, Jacob, has reportedly died. Three other accused named in the case — Nagendra Singh, Narendra Singh, and Jitendra Singh — currently have interim protection from arrest granted by the High Court. Investigating agencies are now examining the financial trail, the preparation of the disputed documents, and the role of all individuals who may have directly or indirectly benefited from the alleged transaction.
Intelligence-Led Raid and Inter-State Arrest
Officials involved in the probe said Rev Deepak Kumar had been evading arrest for a considerable period, leading authorities to announce a ₹25,000 reward for information leading to his capture. He was reportedly located at Bishop House in the Civil Lines area of Amritsar, Punjab. Acting on intelligence inputs, investigators conducted a raid and arrested him before bringing him to Kanpur on transit remand. After interrogation, he was sent to jail under judicial custody.
Experts dealing with land fraud and property documentation say disputes involving Nazul properties have long posed a major challenge for administrative and legal authorities. Nazul land generally refers to government-controlled land managed through specific revenue regulations, making such properties particularly vulnerable to litigation, forged claims, and illegal transactions when record management systems are weak or manipulated.
Demand for Digital Records and Structural Reforms
Legal and revenue experts believe the case once again highlights the urgent need for stronger digital land record verification systems, regular audits of government property databases, and multi-layer document authentication mechanisms. They warn that forged sale agreements and manipulated land records have increasingly become tools for organised land fraud operations targeting high-value public properties in urban areas.
Investigators are now probing whether more individuals were involved in the alleged conspiracy, including document handlers, facilitators, and possible financial beneficiaries. Authorities also suspect that similar fraudulent methods may have been used in other land transactions. With forensic examination of the disputed documents and financial transactions still underway, officials believe the investigation could lead to further significant revelations in the coming weeks.
