Businessman Loses ₹10 Crore in Maharashtra Land Scam
A petrol pump operator from Malerkotla alleges fraud involving a fake land deal in Maharashtra, leading to a police investigation.
Victim Ranbir Singh Kehal claims he was cheated out of ₹10 crore.
Three individuals, including a couple, have been booked for cheating and conspiracy.
The accused allegedly provided a forged land certificate for a 25-acre property.
In a shocking case of fraud, a businessman from Malerkotla has reported being swindled of ₹10 crore in a land deal involving a purported 25-acre property in Maharashtra. The victim, Ranbir Singh Kehal, claims that he was misled by three residents of Zirakpur, who promised him half the proceeds from the sale of the land. Following his complaint, local police have initiated an investigation and registered a case against the accused.
The incident reportedly began three years ago when Kehal met Kanu Priya Sharma and her husband Manish Sharma through business connections. The couple allegedly cultivated a friendly relationship with him before presenting an investment opportunity. Manish Sharma claimed that his father was a trustee of a trust that owned the land near Kopargaon railway station in Ahmednagar district. He assured Kehal that the property would be transferred to him, and he would receive a share of the sale proceeds.
Over the course of three years, Kehal transferred approximately ₹9.85 crore to the accused in various installments. It is alleged that around ₹5 crore of this amount was deposited into the bank accounts of the accused and their relatives, while the rest was paid in cash. The situation escalated when Manish's father allegedly demanded an additional ₹30 lakh to facilitate the transfer, which Kehal also paid in cash.
In September 2024, Kehal was presented with a land certificate dated August 23, 2024, purportedly showing the property in Kanu Priya's name. Despite the initial promise of the land being transferred to Manish, Kehal continued with the arrangement due to his substantial investment. However, after multiple follow-ups and delays from the accused, he discovered that the land certificate was fraudulent and that the accused had no legitimate claim to the property. Furthermore, they allegedly threatened him when he sought a refund.
The police have now charged Kanu Priya Sharma, Manish Sharma, and Ashok Kohli under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including cheating and criminal conspiracy. This case highlights the growing concerns over land fraud in the region and the need for increased vigilance among potential investors in real estate transactions.
