In a major crackdown on a high-value land fraud case, police in Bihar’s Nalanda district have arrested a man accused of cheating a businessman of nearly ₹3 crore in a fake land transaction. The accused, identified as Nitish Kumar, a tractor showroom owner popularly known as “Shyam Ladla,” was taken into custody by Laheri police after evidence surfaced linking him to a well-planned financial deception involving forged documents and impersonation.
According to police officials, the case involves the sale of 10 decimal land in Sipah Mauza under NH Bypass area in Bihar Sharif. The complainant, Birendra Prasad, proprietor of Pal Electric from Shivpuri (Ramchandrapur), alleged that he was shown a piece of land owned in the name of Jitendra Prasad and was convinced to proceed with the deal after being assured of its legitimacy.
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The complaint, filed on February 22, 2026, stated that the accused initially took an advance of ₹2 lakh in May 2024. Later, on January 27, 2026, the accused allegedly arranged a fake landowner and produced forged Aadhaar credentials to execute an agreement. Over time, the victim transferred nearly ₹3 crore through bank transactions and cheques based on repeated assurances.
The fraud came to light on February 14, 2026, when the complainant visited the site for boundary demarcation. During verification, local residents informed him that the actual landowner Jitendra Prasad lives in Delhi and had never sold the property. Following this revelation, the victim confronted the accused, leading to a local mediation attempt on February 15.
During the informal settlement meeting, the accused allegedly admitted to receiving ₹3 crore on a non-judicial stamp paper worth ₹5,000. However, he reportedly attempted to misrepresent the transaction as a “loan” instead of land payment, later refusing to return the money despite assurances made during the settlement discussions.
Police officials confirmed that prima facie evidence, including forged documents and financial transfers, has been found against the accused. Investigators stated that the accused may have used fabricated identities and manipulated ownership records to carry out the fraud.
The victim has further alleged that this is not an isolated incident. He claims that the accused operates a wider network and has previously cheated another individual of ₹1.5 crore using a similar land deal strategy. He also alleged involvement of the accused in misappropriation of donation funds collected for the construction of a Khatu Shyam temple, claiming that crores of rupees were diverted into personal accounts.
In addition, the complainant has raised serious allegations regarding a past insurance-related fraud, claiming that between 2010 and 2012, the accused allegedly staged a fire incident at his own power tiller showroom to claim insurance money. Police have confirmed that these allegations are being examined as part of the broader investigation into his financial background and previous records.
Officials said the accused is currently being interrogated, and his financial transactions, property records, and past business dealings are under detailed scrutiny. Investigators are also verifying whether multiple victims were targeted using the same pattern of forged land documents and impersonation tactics.
Police sources indicated that the case may be part of a larger organized fraud network operating in the region, involving fake property deals, forged identity documents, and systematic money laundering through multiple accounts. Authorities are also exploring possible links between this case and other similar complaints registered in nearby districts.
The arrest has sparked concern among local residents and business communities, as the accused was known in the area as a trader and showroom owner, which allegedly helped him gain trust among buyers and investors.
Further investigation is underway, and officials have stated that additional charges may be added as new evidence emerges. The case continues to unfold as authorities attempt to trace the full extent of the alleged fraud network and recover the cheated funds.
