In a startling development that intertwines land fraud, political proximity, and real estate ambitions, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau has booked three directors of Motia Royale Estate Pvt Ltd for allegedly altering the ownership of prime land in New Chandigarh using fraudulent means. The case reignites concerns over political influence and unchecked real estate expansion in the region.
Multi-Crore Land Grab Case
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has lodged a first information report (FIR) against three directors of a prominent real estate firm, Motia Royale Estate Pvt Ltd, in connection with an elaborate land fraud involving high-value property in New Chandigarh. Among those booked is Parveen Kansal alias Rocky, a close aide of former Punjab minister Sikander Singh Maluka. The others named in the FIR are Neeraj Kansal and Indu Kansal.
The accused have been charged under Sections 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, following a complaint by Piare Lal Garg, a business associate who claims he was deceitfully removed from land ownership records through forged documentation.
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Inside the Alleged Fraud
According to the complaint, the accused trio, leveraging internal access and bureaucratic loopholes, manipulated land ownership records in New Chandigarh to unlawfully transfer prime real estate out of joint partnership control. The land, valued in crores, was part of a business agreement between Garg and Kansal. The fraud came to light after Garg approached authorities last year, but the case was initially shelved.
Subsequent inquiries by the revenue department revived the case, uncovering significant discrepancies in ownership records, prompting the VB to act. Investigations revealed signatures had been forged, and government records allegedly tampered with to benefit Motia Royale and exclude Garg from rightful claims.
Political Shadows and Real Estate Clout
What makes the case more than a routine land dispute is the political shadow cast by Kansal’s proximity to Maluka, a senior leader from Punjab’s political landscape. Real estate in New Chandigarh has exploded in value over the last decade, with developers scrambling for land parcels near the upcoming administrative and residential zones.
Kansal, often seen accompanying Maluka at public events, is considered a powerful figure in Mohali’s builder circuit. His company has executed multiple projects in the region, often touted as symbols of urban transformation. Critics, however, argue that many of these developments have skirted legal scrutiny due to political connections. Vigilance Chief Director Parveen Sinha confirmed that an FIR was registered based on fresh evidence.
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Legal Repercussions and Broader Implications
The scandal underscores growing concerns about the nexus between politicians and real estate developers in Punjab, particularly in fast-developing regions like New Chandigarh. Legal experts say such cases, though rare to be prosecuted, are not isolated and often fall apart due to a lack of political will or weak evidence.
If the case proceeds to conviction, it could have ripple effects across other land deals associated with Motia Royale and affiliated companies. For now, the vigilance bureau is focused on unearthing documentation trails and assessing whether any revenue department officials were complicit. Garg, the complainant, expressed cautious optimism.
As Punjab’s real estate continues to expand into rural belts, this case may serve as a litmus test for how effectively the state can hold politically connected individuals accountable in the face of economic and political pressures.
About the author – Prakriti Jha is a student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, currently pursuing B.Sc. LL.B (Hons.) with a keen interest in the intersection of law and data science. She is passionate about exploring how legal frameworks adapt to the evolving challenges of technology and justice.