Illustration of a CID crime branch investigation into an alleged Rs 70 crore land fraud in Makarba village, showing a farmer reviewing disputed revenue records as advocates and a notary handle forged signatures, thumb impressions and power of attorney documents.
In a complaint registered with the CID crime branch on Saturday, a 54-year-old farmer from Kheda alleged that the accused fraudulently removed his family’s names from revenue records and sold portions of the ancestral land without their consent. The land originally belonged to the farmer’s maternal grandfather, who died in Dec 2000, according to the complaint. The complainant alleged that in 2003, two relatives and their associates approached family members seeking signatures on blank papers, claiming they were required for inheritance-related formalities. A subsequent search at the sub-registrar’s office revealed that 12,039 sq m of land across four survey numbers had been sold through a registered deed on April 15, 2004. 392 was allegedly sold in July 2004 without the family’s knowledge. The family challenged the revenue entries before the deputy collector and filed a civil suit in 2005. In Nov 2010, a court ordered status quo on the disputed land.
A case was registered under the provisions of the IPC. During the inquiry, he allegedly discovered that a rights relinquishment entry had been made without the signatures or consent of any legal heir. He further claimed that forged affidavits were submitted to revenue authorities to remove the family’s names from official records. The complainant alleged that neither he nor any of his family members had visited revenue offices to relinquish their rights or executed any power of attorney. He alleged that although family members were literate and capable of signing documents, forged signatures and thumb impressions were used to create powers of attorney, which were then used to sell the ancestral property. Another parcel of land bearing Survey No. The suit remains pending.