Six Individuals Sentenced to Rigorous Imprisonment in Puducherry Land Fraud Case
In a significant legal development in Puducherry, Chief Judicial Magistrate E M K Yashwanthrao Ingersol delivered a verdict on Thursday, sentencing six people to rigorous imprisonment for their involvement in a complex land grab scheme targeting a French citizen. The convicted individuals include a retired sub-registrar, highlighting the depth of the fraudulent activities.
Details of the Sentences and Charges
The magistrate imposed multiple sentences for various offenses. For the primary crime of forging documents and illegally seizing the plot, all six were sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment. Additionally, they received three years for cheating by impersonation, two years for forgery, and one year for using a forged document or electronic record as genuine. All these prison terms will run concurrently, meaning the total effective sentence is five years.
Background of the Land Dispute
According to Assistant Public Prosecutor S Lokkeshvaran, the case originated from a property purchase in 1987. Narmadha Zeneviya, the wife of French citizen Munusamy Selvakumar residing in Muthialpet, bought a plot from a person named Alexander. In 2015, when she began construction on the land, she faced obstruction from S Palaniraja, aged 53, who claimed ownership based on forged sale deeds allegedly from A Amalorpavanathan, also 53.
This prompted the French citizen to file a formal complaint with the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID), leading to a thorough investigation.
Investigation Findings and Legal Proceedings
The CB-CID probe uncovered a elaborate fraud network. It was revealed that R Balakrishnan, aged 87, impersonated the legitimate landowner using fake indemnity bonds and a power of attorney. With the assistance of then sub-registrar R Kalaimani, 65, and A Subramaniam, 87, fraudulent patta (land title) transfers were executed in the names of Palaniraja's wife, P Rajalakshmi, 41, and her friend, D Rajeswari, 41.
As a result, the CB-CID registered a case against Palaniraja, Rajalakshmi, Rajeswari, Kalaimani, and Balakrishnan under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including:
- Section 419: Punishment for cheating by impersonation
- Section 465: Punishment for forgery
- Section 468: Forgery for the purpose of cheating
- Section 471: Using as genuine a forged document or electronic record
During the trial, Balakrishnan passed away, but the remaining accused were found guilty and sentenced accordingly by the court.
Implications and Conclusion
This case underscores the serious consequences of document forgery and land fraud in India, particularly when it involves foreign nationals. The sentencing serves as a deterrent against such criminal activities, emphasizing the judiciary's commitment to upholding property rights and legal integrity. The coordinated efforts between the victim, law enforcement, and the judicial system have culminated in justice being served, reinforcing the importance of vigilance in property transactions.
