Former Ahmedabad Corporator Booked for Land Fraud Using Fake Farmer Identity
In a significant case of land fraud, Tasleem Alam Tirmizi, a former corporator from Ahmedabad, has been booked by Kheda police for allegedly posing as a farmer and using forged documents to purchase agricultural land worth crores across multiple districts. The complaint was registered at the Atarsumba police station following an investigation that uncovered fraudulent activities dating back to 2000.
Details of the Alleged Forgery
Investigators revealed that Tirmizi fraudulently secured farmer status by creating a fake lineage record. He projected himself as the legal heir of a deceased farmer, Akbarkhan Imamkhan Pathan, from Punadara village in Kapadvanj taluka. According to officials, the accused allegedly got a fabricated pedigree document prepared through a village talati, entering his name in revenue records as "Tasleem Alam Babasahib" to claim inheritance rights.
This mutation entry was later used to establish eligibility to purchase agricultural land, which is otherwise restricted under regulations. Revenue authorities discovered discrepancies in the document, including the absence of death details for the supposed predecessor and a lack of information about surviving family members.
Verification and Uncovering the Fraud
Verification with local witnesses confirmed that neither Tirmizi nor his father had any relation to the original landholder, Akbarkhan Imamkhan Pathan. After securing the farmer status through these forged means, the accused allegedly purchased land in Lalmandva village of Kapadvanj taluka and in Chanor and Matar villages of Matar taluka, all within Kheda district.
Officials noted that records also point to land transactions in Ahmedabad district, indicating a broader scope of fraudulent activities. The case came to light after reports triggered administrative scrutiny, leading to a detailed inquiry by Circle Officer Rakesh Desai.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
Desai submitted his findings to the district land vigilance committee, which, acting on the report, ordered proceedings under its suo motu powers. Following directions from the Kheda collectorate, a formal complaint was filed by the Punadara village talati.
Police have registered offences related to cheating and forgery under relevant sections of the law. They have begun further investigation to examine the full extent of the land transactions and to determine if others were involved in the scheme. This case highlights ongoing efforts to combat land fraud and protect agricultural land rights in Gujarat.
