The Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested absconding District Revenue Officer (DRO) Joginder Sharma of the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), Panchkula, in connection with the multi-crore Pearls Group land scam. A court has remanded the accused to seven days of ACB custody to facilitate the recovery of allegedly concealed cash, digital evidence and other material linked to the investigation.
According to the ACB, the investigation has revealed that Sharma allegedly received ₹2.40 crore as his share of the scam. The agency claims that the money was hidden at locations in Delhi, Manali and Bhiwani. Based on these allegations, investigators sought custodial interrogation to recover the suspected proceeds of the crime.
The ACB also informed the court that Sharma’s mobile phone had remained switched off for the past eight months and was allegedly concealed with his relatives in Salasar, Rajasthan. Investigators believe the device could contain crucial digital evidence and are seeking its recovery as part of the ongoing probe.
The agency further stated that Sharma’s two relatives, Naveen and Dinesh, residents of Kudal village in Haryana’s Bhiwani district, are also under investigation. The ACB told the court that Sharma will be confronted with former Tehsildar Sanjay Singla, who was arrested earlier in the case, to identify the possible involvement of other government officials and employees.
According to investigators, Sharma played a key role in the alleged illegal sale of restricted land linked to the Pearls Group. The ACB alleges that the land could not legally be transferred without the approval of the court-appointed Justice R.M. Lodha Committee. Despite these restrictions, the agency claims that a “red-ink stay entry” was allegedly removed from the revenue records, enabling the sale of the property.
Investigators further allege that the land was initially transferred to Sharma’s relative, Naveen, while substantial transaction-related funds were routed through a real estate firm owned by Sharma’s brother. The ACB claims that witness statements, audio recordings, call detail records and the financial trail indicate Sharma’s alleged involvement in coordinating the transactions and facilitating the scheme.
Sharma, however, has denied all allegations. He has maintained that he was not named in the original FIR, had no role in removing the restriction from the revenue records, and has been implicated only because his relatives were involved in subsequent land transactions.
The case relates to approximately 141 kanals of land in Shahpur village of Raipur Rani, Panchkula, which formed part of properties linked to entities associated with the Pearls Group. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Justice R.M. Lodha Committee and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) had previously made it clear that properties linked to PGF Limited and PACL Limited could not be sold without prior approval from the designated authorities. The ACB said the investigation is continuing and further legal action will be taken based on the evidence that emerges during the probe.
