The sale was executed on June 26, 2025, through a registered deed to Sufiya Kazmi. The transaction was witnessed by Majid Kamal Jafri and Farhan Qamar, while lawyer Mohd Masroor Shahrukh allegedly facilitated the process at the Chail tehsil court.
Authorities stated that all paperwork appeared legitimate on the surface, allowing the transaction to pass through official scrutiny. However, the documentation was allegedly built on forged records, as the actual landowner was alive and unaware of the developments. The fraud surfaced in early April when the buyers arrived to take possession of the land. It was only then that Ekhlaq Ahmed realized that his property had been sold and that official records had effectively erased his existence.
Following the discovery, Ahmed approached district magistrate Amit Pal Sharma and superintendent of police Satyanarayan Prajapat, seeking immediate action.
Officials revealed that the irregularity was initially flagged by a lekhpal during routine verification. The district magistrate confirmed that although the fraud was carefully executed, closer examination exposed discrepancies. An in-depth investigation has since been ordered, with instructions to recommend safeguards against similar incidents in the future.
Acting on these directions, Sandipan Ghat police registered an FIR against five individuals under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of forgery, cheating, and criminal conspiracy.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Abhishek Singh stated that such a complex fraud likely involved collusion at multiple levels, and the role of tehsil staff is currently under scrutiny.
Police officials confirmed that the main accused remains absconding, and efforts are underway to locate all five individuals named in the FIR. Station House Officer Indradev assured that arrests would be made soon as the investigation progresses.
The case has raised serious concerns about the integrity of land records and administrative oversight, highlighting how systemic loopholes can be exploited for large-scale property fraud.
