JAIPUR, India – – Authorities in Jaipur have confirmed the arrest of a 62-year-old man, identified as Jagdish Narayan Sharma, on Tuesday. Sharma stands accused of defrauding 151 individuals of crores of rupees by selling plots in an unauthorized colony using falsified documents. This arrest, carried out by Jawahar Circle police, is part of an extensive effort to combat land mafia operations often working in collusion with housing societies.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Tejaswini Gautam stated that the investigation began after numerous complaints emerged concerning fraudulent land transactions supported by fake documents. Sharma is alleged to have conspired with a housing society to illegally sell plots within a development known as ‘Parshvanath Enclave Extension’ on Vatika Road in Sanganer.
One such complaint, filed by 82-year-old Prem Kumar Sehgal on May 13, 2024, details the alleged deception. Sehgal claims Sharma sold him a plot in 2005 under the promise of legal possession. He was presented with a map and a counterfeit lease deed, dated July 2, 1997, which purportedly granted authorization from Hasanpura A Housing Cooperative Society Ltd. Despite paying the full amount of ₹2,200 per square yard for Plot No. 97, Sehgal received a receipt for only ₹11,111. His subsequent visit to the site revealed no boundary wall and the land still occupied by farmers, leading to the discovery that Sharma had allegedly sold multiple plots without having legally acquired the land.
When confronted, Sharma reportedly admitted to the fraud and, according to police, attempted to dissuade Sehgal from pursuing the case by citing political connections. Police also indicated that Sharma had been eluding authorities and frequently changed his whereabouts to avoid apprehension. During interrogation, Sharma allegedly confessed to fabricating documents and selling land without lawful acquisition or compensating the legitimate landholders.
The investigation into the alleged land fraud syndicate continues.
