Vijayapura Police Unravel Sophisticated Land-Grabbing Network Using Counterfeit Aadhaar Cards
In a significant breakthrough against organized property fraud, the Vijayapura district police have successfully solved a series of land-grabbing cases that exploited fake Aadhaar cards to illegally acquire valuable real estate. According to Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi, authorities have cracked 25 out of 27 cases registered between 2022 and 2024, demonstrating a robust investigative effort that has restored justice to numerous affected landowners.
Special Investigation Team Yields Impressive Results
A dedicated special team was constituted under the leadership of Ramanagouda Hatti, the Additional Superintendent of Police, to meticulously probe these complex cases. The investigation into these cases is complete, and the final report was submitted to the court, stated SP Nimbargi, highlighting the procedural thoroughness that underpinned the operation. The team's work has led to the filing of charges against 200 accused individuals, with the rightful landowners regaining possession of their properties.
Scale of the Fraud and Modus Operandi Revealed
The fraudulent scheme resulted in landowners losing over 158.1 acres of agricultural land and nine non-agricultural (NA) plots. The accused orchestrated this large-scale deception by creating counterfeit Aadhaar cards in the names of legitimate landowners and subsequently purchasing the land under these fabricated identities. The accused often targeted elderly, isolated, or absent landowners, explained Nimbargi, indicating a predatory approach focused on vulnerable individuals less likely to immediately detect the fraud.
The modus operandi was elaborate and involved multiple layers of complicity:
- Some accused acted as agents or bond writers in sub-registrar offices, selling small plots on commission and leveraging their positions to facilitate the fraud.
- Agents who earned commissions by selling land gathered detailed information about target properties and their documentation.
- Fake landowners, often brought from distant villages or other states, were provided with forged Aadhaar cards to pose as sellers.
- Complicit bond writers prepared fraudulent purchase documents, with members of the fraud gang signing as witnesses to lend an air of legitimacy.
- If attempts to sell the land using fake owners failed, the accused would register the property in the name of a group member before selling it to unsuspecting buyers.
- The gang meticulously ensured that fake owners did not visit the village or reside at the addresses provided, minimizing the risk of exposure.
Key Individuals Identified and Legal Outcomes
SP Nimbargi identified several individuals found to be involved in multiple cases, including Sudhakar, Bhimray, Sudhakar Charate, Kashinath Rathod, Dattatreya Shivasharan, and Nagappa Kolkar (bond writers), as well as Rafiq Abdul Latif, Baburao Gangappa, and Bapu Dondiba. In two of the 27 cases, a B report was submitted to the court, indicating a closure report where insufficient evidence was found to proceed with charges.
The investigation into these land-grabbing cases is complete, and the officers and staff involved were commended for their work, Nimbargi added, acknowledging the diligent efforts of the police force in unraveling this intricate web of deception. This crackdown not only brings culprits to justice but also serves as a stern warning against similar fraudulent activities in the region, reinforcing the importance of vigilance in property transactions and document verification processes.
