Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district have registered a case against 31 named individuals, including a former Executive Officer of the municipal body and a former Deputy Director of Consolidation, over the alleged illegal occupation of Gram Sabha land worth more than ₹100 crore. Investigators allege that around 38 bighas of village common land were unlawfully transferred and occupied using forged land records and manipulated mutation proceedings.
Forged Lease Deed Under Probe
According to police, the FIR was lodged on the complaint of revenue official Sparsh Gupta. Those named in the case include former Executive Officer Rajkumar Gupta and former Deputy Director of Consolidation Khem Singh Khadak, along with 29 others. Authorities said Khadak has since passed away, while Rajkumar Gupta remains in government service.
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Preliminary investigation suggests that the alleged fraud centred on a purported forged lease deed dated July 12, 1967. The document was allegedly used to claim ownership of 38 bighas of Gram Sabha land located along the Sambhal-Moradabad highway.
Mutation Order Scrutinised
Investigators allege that principal accused Saeedul Rahman later obtained a mutation order on February 15, 2008, allegedly in collusion with the then Deputy Director of Consolidation. Police said the order enabled the unlawful transfer and occupation of the government land.
Police alleged that the conspiracy involved former public officials, legal heirs of the alleged leaseholder and several subsequent purchasers of the disputed land. Among those named in the FIR are Ibadurrahman Khan, Ahsanurrahman Khan, Shahjahan Begum, Iftaara, Tariq Ali, Sajid Ali, Farik Ali, Shakir Ali, Shariq Ali, Shariq Shaboor, Mohammad Mujahid, Rafiq, Akhtari, Mohammad Umar, Munazir, Azeem, Dharmendra, Madhu Khurana, Vijay Gupta, Rupali Gupta, Furqan, Imran, Azam Khan, Pradeep Kumar Agrawal, Mamdood Alam Warsi and Harjeet Singh, among others.
Encroachments Being Removed
District authorities said a substantial portion of the disputed land has already been cleared of encroachments, and government ownership boards have been installed at the site. Notices are being prepared for occupants of the remaining portions where commercial activities are still being carried out.
Investigators are examining revenue records, mutation orders, historical land documents and property transfer records to determine the role of each accused. Officials said further legal action will depend on the evidence collected during the probe.
District Magistrate Ankit Khandelwal said the FIR was registered after a complaint by the revenue department and confirmed that most of the government land has been reclaimed. Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi said the alleged fraud involving land worth over ₹100 crore is being investigated on priority, and strict action will be taken against those found responsible.
