Delhi Crime Branch Unearths Sophisticated Land-Grabbing Conspiracy in Upscale Greater Kailash
In a significant crackdown on organized property crime, the Delhi Police's Crime Branch has dismantled an alleged land-grabbing racket, arresting three individuals, including a practicing lawyer, for their involvement in a brazen attempt to seize and sell a prime residential property in the upscale Greater Kailash I neighborhood. The arrests, made on January 22, follow a meticulous investigation that exposed a systematic conspiracy targeting valuable immovable assets, particularly those owned by elderly citizens.
Forged Documents and Fraudulent Lawsuits at the Heart of the Scam
According to police officials, the racket's operations came to light in September last year after a resident of Greater Kailash filed a complaint. The complainant alerted authorities to a public notice published in a national daily, where unknown persons had audaciously laid claim to his ancestral property. A preliminary verification swiftly established that the complainant and his family had been in lawful possession of the property for several decades, with their ownership firmly backed by registered sale deeds and gift deeds.
Following the complaint, an FIR was registered at the Greater Kailash police station and subsequently transferred to the Crime Branch for a specialized, in-depth investigation. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Aditya Gautam detailed the gang's sophisticated modus operandi. The accused allegedly identified high-value properties, often owned by elderly individuals, and meticulously prepared forged ownership documents, including a purported release deed, to fabricate false claims of title. To lend an air of legitimacy to these fraudulent claims and facilitate the illegal takeover of the properties, the gang would then file civil suits in various courts.
Arrests and Recovery of Incriminating Evidence
The sustained investigation led to the arrest of three accused: Ashish Chaudhary, Vineet Kumar Saigal, and Dilip Kumar Pandey. During the probe, investigators uncovered that in the specific case under scrutiny, the accused had prepared two separate sets of forged documents to stake their claim over the complainant's property and had even attempted to sell it to unsuspecting buyers. The fraud was ultimately exposed when a relative of the complainant alerted him about a false classified advertisement issued by one of the accused.
Police revealed that the court proceedings initiated by the accused cited fictitious witnesses; some of these named individuals were already deceased, while others were listed with incorrect or entirely non-existent addresses. During the police custody remand, the original documents, which were allegedly forged, were successfully recovered and seized by the authorities.
Legal Charges and Ongoing Investigation
A comprehensive case has been filed under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 329(4) for criminal trespassing
- Section 336(3) for forgery
- Section 338 for forgery of valuable securities, wills, or documents authorizing the transfer of property or money
- Section 340(2) for fraudulent or dishonest use of a forged document or electronic record
- Section 61(2) for criminal conspiracy
Police confirmed that one of the arrested individuals is a practicing advocate, highlighting the concerning involvement of a legal professional in the scam. Another accused has prior criminal antecedents, suggesting a pattern of illicit activity. The investigation remains active and ongoing, with officers working diligently to identify other accomplices, trace similar cases that may have employed the same method, and ascertain whether more properties across Delhi were targeted by this organized racket.
