In a significant development, the Kanpur police have apprehended Irshad Alam, a notable figure known as the co-producer of the 2005 film Taj Mahal and a tannery operator, on serious charges of fraud and extortion. The arrest stems from a complaint filed by a local egg trader who alleges being swindled out of a massive sum of Rs 3.30 crore in a fraudulent land deal.
The Core of the Allegations: A Doubled Price and Government Land
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the complainant, Mohd Shuaib, a resident of Civil Lines in Kanpur, runs a wholesale egg business on Nai Sadak in Beconganj. Shuaib, along with his business partners Fahad Naseem and Ubaid Naseem, were actively searching for land and a warehouse to expand their operations. Acting on advice from acquaintances named Ricky and Rafi, they were introduced to Irshad Alam, who originally hails from Gajju Purwa Jajmau but currently resides at Signature City.
Alam reportedly showed the businessmen a plot of land located in Gajju Purwa and proposed to sell it for Rs 1.65 crore. After the trio agreed and finalized the deal, they paid him the agreed-upon amount. Shockingly, Alam then doubled the price of the land. Despite this unexpected demand, the egg traders paid an additional Rs 1.65 crore, bringing the total payment to a staggering Rs 3.30 crore. However, the crucial sale deed for the property was never executed in their favor.
Investigation Uncovers Critical Fact: Land Already Acquired
The police investigation that followed Shuaib's complaint revealed a critical and damning detail. The plot of land that was the subject of this multi-crore transaction had already been acquired by the government. This means Irshad Alam allegedly attempted to sell a property over which he had no legal right or ownership, making the entire deal fraudulent from the outset.
Additional Charge: Extortion for False Case Protection
Beyond the land fraud, the complaint includes another grave accusation. It is alleged that Irshad Alam later demanded a further Rs 60 lakh from the victims. This money was reportedly demanded under the threat of lodging false police cases against them, adding a layer of extortion to the existing charges of cheating.
The Kanpur police acted promptly on the complaint, leading to Alam's arrest. He now faces serious legal consequences for his alleged actions. This case highlights the risks associated with high-value property transactions and underscores the importance of thorough due diligence, including verifying land titles and ownership status with the relevant government authorities before any money changes hands.
