ACB arrests one person in ‘land fraud’ case in Kaithal
A team of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested one person in connection with an alleged case of acquiring land allotted to people who migrated from Pakistan in Kaithal district.
The accused has been identified as Ashok, a resident of Birthe Bahri village in the district. He was apprehended from his village on Wednesday and would be produced in the court on Thursday, said the ACB in a press note issued here.
The case pertains to a government-allotted land dispute in the same village. A land of 649 acres, 4 kanals, and 17 marlas was allocated by the government for the rehabilitation of people who migrated from Pakistan. As per the terms, one-third of the land’s agricultural yield was to be given to the government. However, after a period, the beneficiaries stopped paying their share, the police added.
In November 1987, the government issued orders to officially allot the land to the occupants concerned (patta holders). A committee was formed for the allotment process, comprising the District Welfare Officer, Tehsildar, Halka Patwari, Kanungo, and allotment committee members Kartar Singh, Daljit Singh, and Mahendra Singh numberdar. The accused is the son of committee member Mahendra Singh numberdar.
During the allotment process, Mahendra Singh, in collusion with officials and employees, fraudulently acquired 79 kanals of land in his name, as well as in the names of his wife and son, Ashok Kumar.
“Following an investigation, an FIR was registered by the ACB, Ambala, on October 7, 2022, under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120B of the IPC and Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act,” said the police.
Apart from Ashok Kumar, other accused in the case, including Kanta Devi, Ramanand, and Satnam Singh (then District Welfare Officer, Kaithal), are yet to be arrested.
