Suspended Tehsildar Sent to Judicial Custody in Haryana Land Scam Case
In a significant development in a high-profile corruption case, suspended Raipur Rani tehsildar Vikram Singla was Thursday sent to judicial custody by the court. This decision came after his two-day police remand concluded earlier in the day. Singla was arrested by the Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for his alleged role in facilitating the illegal registration of 18 acres of land despite an active Supreme Court stay order.
Investigation Uncovers More Suspects and Leads
During the intensive questioning of Vikram Singla, ACB officials revealed that the name of a revenue officer surfaced as a potential accomplice. This officer, identified as a cousin of the primary accused Naveen, is suspected to have played a crucial role in the illicit transaction. However, when called for inquiry, the officer switched off his phone and has not yet cooperated with the investigation, raising further suspicions.
ACB officials stated that the bureau has gathered several other promising leads and is currently examining the possible involvement of additional individuals in this complex case. Notably, no further police remand was sought for Singla, indicating that the initial phase of interrogation has yielded sufficient information for the ongoing probe.
Background of the Land Scam Case
Vikram Singla was arrested on January 31 in connection with a case that revolves around 18 acres of land located in the Raipur Rani tehsil. This land is linked to the controversial Pearl Group, and the Supreme Court had imposed a stay on it in 2017 while the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was probing the matter. Despite this legal injunction, the land was allegedly registered in the name of Naveen, a resident of Badala village in Hansi.
Singla reportedly attempted to justify the registration by citing a letter from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). However, the SDM later accused him of forging signatures on the document, leading to the addition of forgery charges against the suspended tehsildar. Investigators also discovered that the stay on the land was allegedly lifted through improper means, enabling the registry to proceed unlawfully.
Rapid Sale of the Illegally Registered Land
In a startling twist, within just 21 days of the initial registration, the entire 18-acre parcel of land in Shahpur village was sold to four different buyers. The land was divided into plots ranging from approximately 4.42 to 4.44 acres each, facilitating a quick and potentially lucrative transaction. This rapid sale has raised questions about the coordination and intent behind the illegal activities, with authorities suspecting a well-organized network.
The ACB continues to delve deeper into the case, aiming to uncover all individuals involved and ensure that justice is served. The judicial custody of Vikram Singla marks a critical step in this ongoing investigation, as the bureau works to piece together the full extent of the corruption and forgery allegations.
