Lucknow: A serious case of property fraud has surfaced in the state capital, where fraudsters allegedly grabbed a residential plot belonging to a retired CRPF assistant commandant by forging documents and impersonating the owners during registration. The same property was later mortgaged to a private bank to secure a loan of ₹40 lakh. The fraud came to light only after the bank contacted the actual owner for verification.
An FIR has been registered at Vibhutikhand police station, and investigations are underway to identify those involved in the elaborate forgery and financial fraud.
Plot Purchased in 2007
According to police records, the complainant, Sanjay Kumar Rawat, is a retired assistant commandant from the Central Reserve Police Force and currently resides in Maanas Enclave, Indira Nagar. He had legally purchased a 750-square-foot plot in Vastu Khand-III of Gomti Nagar Extension in 2007 through a registered deed.
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Rawat has stated that the plot remained in his possession and that he never entered into any agreement to sell, transfer or mortgage the property. He also claimed that neither he nor his wife authorised anyone to act on their behalf in any transaction related to the land.
Bank Call Exposed the Scam
The fraud surfaced on August 21, 2025, when officials from ICICI Bank contacted Rawat seeking confirmation on whether he had sold the property to a person named Anil Yadav. Shocked by the query, Rawat denied any such transaction.
Bank officials then informed him that the plot had already been sold and a home loan of ₹40 lakh had been sanctioned against the property. This prompted Rawat to immediately approach the bank and relevant authorities to seek details of the transaction.
Fake Registry Done in 2022
Subsequent verification at the sub-registrar’s office revealed that a fraudulent sale deed had been executed on April 6, 2022. The registry was carried out using forged documents, with impostors posing as Rawat and his wife to complete the legal formalities.
Using this forged registry, the fraudsters transferred ownership of the plot to Anil Yadav. The same documents were later used to obtain a substantial loan from the bank, effectively monetising the stolen property.
Case Registered, Documents Under Scrutiny
Based on Rawat’s complaint, police have registered a case against unidentified persons under sections related to cheating, forgery, use of forged documents and criminal conspiracy. Officials said records are being collected from the sub-registrar’s office, the bank and other connected institutions.
Investigators are examining the identity proofs submitted at the time of registration, the role of witnesses, and the verification process followed by the bank while approving the loan. The authenticity of documents and possible internal lapses are also under review.
Serious Questions on Verification Mechanism
The incident has once again raised serious concerns over loopholes in property registration and banking procedures. Experts point out that executing a registry without the actual owner’s presence and approving a high-value loan based on forged documents reflects systemic weaknesses.
Possibility of Organised Property Fraud Ring
Police suspect the involvement of an organised gang that systematically targets vacant or unattended properties using fake identities and forged paperwork. Investigators are probing whether similar methods have been used in other property transactions across the city.
Efforts are also being made to trace the flow of the loan amount, identify beneficiary accounts and freeze proceeds of crime if necessary.
For now, police say the focus remains on identifying the fraudsters, fixing accountability at every stage of the transaction, and ensuring recovery of the misappropriated funds. Further legal action will be initiated based on the outcome of the investigation.
