Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh), June 30 (IANS) A major land scam involving government-owned Gram Samaj land worth crores of rupees has allegedly surfaced in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district, with police registering an FIR against 32 people, including former Municipal Council officials, employees, public representatives and private individuals, officials said.

The case, registered at Sambhal Kotwali police station, pertains to allegations of fraudulent transfer and encroachment of government land through forged documents and fabricated lease records. The development has triggered widespread attention in administrative as well as political circles.

According to the FIR, around 2.367 hectares of Gram Samaj land situated along the Hasanpur-Moradabad Road was allegedly transferred into the names of private individuals by using forged records and manipulated official documents.

The complainant has alleged that the land, estimated to be worth several crores of rupees, was illegally acquired through a well-planned manipulation of government revenue records.

According to the complaint, a mutation order was obtained in 2008 on the basis of an alleged lease record dating back to 1967. It is alleged that following the mutation, the Gram Samaj land was unlawfully brought under private ownership and subsequently encroached upon.

The FIR further alleges that officials and employees acted in collusion as part of a conspiracy to facilitate the transfer of government land into private hands.

Among those named in the FIR are the then Executive Officer Rajkumar Gupta, clerk Veer Singh Badgujar, the then Municipal Council Chairman Shahabuddin and Shahid Khan. In addition, several individuals from Delhi and other districts have also been named in connection with the case.

The complainant has alleged that government records were fraudulently altered to facilitate the illegal transfer of Gram Samaj land, resulting in the alleged misappropriation of public property worth crores of rupees.

The complaint further claims that a fair and impartial investigation could uncover the involvement of several other influential individuals in the alleged conspiracy.

Following the registration of the FIR, Sambhal Kotwali police have initiated an investigation into the allegations.

Police officials said all relevant documents, including revenue records, mutation orders and lease-related documents, are being thoroughly examined as part of the investigation.

Officials maintained that strict legal action would be taken against any individual found guilty after completion of the investigation.

The alleged scam involving valuable government land has generated considerable attention across the district, with the focus now shifting to the outcome of the police probe and any subsequent administrative action.

Officials said the investigation remains at a preliminary stage and all allegations are being verified.

Further details are awaited.

–IANS

sd/skp