Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Police Uncover Elaborate Land Fraud Network
In a significant breakthrough, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar rural police has successfully dismantled a sophisticated and well-organized land fraud racket operating in the region. The investigation culminated with the arrest of the prime accused, who had been evading authorities for nearly two years, on Thursday. This case highlights the growing sophistication of property-related crimes in India, where fraudsters exploit legal loopholes and document forgery to deceive unsuspecting buyers.
How the Fraud Unfolded: A Tale of Impersonation and Forgery
The fraudulent activities came to light when complainant Santosh Shivaji Vaidya, a resident of Satara area near Beed bypass in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city, submitted a formal application to the Superintendent of Police's office. According to police reports, in January 2025, broker Raju Jadhav approached Vaidya with an attractive offer to sell agricultural land measuring 3.84 hectares at Karmad. Jadhav claimed the property belonged to Rayachuri Brahmarambha Rangadas and Rayachuri Sayanna Rangadas, presenting what appeared to be legitimate documentation.
An agreement to sell was executed between the parties, and Vaidya proceeded to pay Rs 50 lakh as part of the transaction. However, when the accused began avoiding the execution of the registered sale deed, Vaidya initiated verification procedures that revealed a shocking truth: the entire transaction was based on impersonation and forged documents.
Investigation Reveals Multiple Layers of Deception
During their thorough probe, EOW investigators discovered that while the original landowner Sayanna Rayachuri is actually a man, the fraudsters had produced a fake woman impersonating him during the agreement signing. Furthermore, two other women were presented as co-owners of the property, creating a complex web of deception. The genuine landowners were completely unaware that transactions were being conducted in their names, highlighting the audacity of the fraud scheme.
Police investigation uncovered another similar fraud involving 75 hectares of land from the same survey number, where Rs 20 lakh was allegedly taken from Manoj Gatkal of Pachod through the same broker, again without completing the transaction. This pattern suggests the racket had been operating systematically, targeting multiple victims with similar modus operandi.
Sophisticated Methods Employed by Fraudsters
According to police officials, the accused deliberately used women from southern India with names similar to the original owners to mislead potential buyers. This strategic choice made verification more challenging for unsuspecting victims. The fraudsters employed forged Aadhaar cards to establish false identities, and cheques issued in fake names were illegally encashed through a Bengaluru-based local credit society, whose operator has also been named as an accused in the case.
The EOW's inquiry established multiple offenses including impersonation, large-scale Aadhaar card forgery, and cheating victims of approximately Rs 70 lakh. A case for cheating and forgery was subsequently registered at Karmad police station under multiple Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections.
Arrests and Seizures in the Case
On January 23, police arrested Vaishali Raju Jadhav (35) of Phulambri, who is currently in police custody. Another woman involved in the impersonation scheme was identified as E Lata Suresh from Tirupati. The breakthrough came when the prime accused, Raju alias Kachru Vitthal Jadhav, was arrested on Friday from the Hasul T-point area following a credible tip-off.
Police revealed that Jadhav had been absconding since the offense was reported and was also wanted in a separate 2022 case registered at Kadim Jalna police station. During his arrest, authorities seized an Activa scooter without a number plate and two mobile phones collectively worth Rs 28,300 from his possession.
Police Warning to Potential Property Buyers
Superintendent of Police Vinay Kumar Rathod issued a strong appeal to citizens following the arrests, emphasizing the need for extreme caution in property transactions. "People should not fall prey to unknown agents offering land, plots or houses at unusually low prices," Rathod cautioned. He outlined essential precautions that can prevent financial fraud in real estate dealings.
The SP recommended a comprehensive verification protocol for property buyers:
- Thoroughly verify original ownership documents through official channels
- Authenticate Aadhaar credentials using government-approved methods
- Issue public notices before entering into any property transaction
- Avoid dealing with unknown brokers offering suspiciously attractive deals
"Such precautions can prevent financial fraud and protect citizens from sophisticated property scams," Rathod emphasized, highlighting how proper due diligence could have prevented the losses suffered by victims in this case.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Implications
Further investigation is being carried out by the Economic Offences Wing under assistant police inspector Amol Satodkar. The case has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities in property transaction systems and the increasing sophistication of document forgery in real estate fraud. Authorities are examining the possibility of more victims and similar frauds that might have gone unreported.
This successful bust by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar police serves as both a warning to potential fraudsters and an educational case study for property buyers across India. As digital documentation becomes more prevalent, the need for enhanced verification mechanisms and public awareness about property fraud prevention has never been more critical.
