Gazetted Officer Among Two Arrested in Land Fraud Case

Swift Summary:

• The Rajendranagar Police arrested a gazetted officer adn a real estate businessman in a land fraud case involving forgery and impersonation.
• The accused are Naveedul Hafeez (53), a Superintendent at the agriculture university in mulugu, and Ubaid Bin mohammed (51), a real estate businessman.
• The case concerns fraudulent dealings over plot number 520, measuring 277 square yards, in Budwel village, previously owned by Ayesha Sultana who passed away in October 2019.
• A woman impersonating the deceased owner executed fake documents for ₹28.26 lakh without actual payment, enabling further fraudulent property transactions involving Hafeez’s family members.
• Ultimately, the land was sold again through another forged deed using non-encashed cheques – it is indeed currently occupied by an unauthorized furniture shop.
• Police uncovered that Mohammed received ₹60,000 as his share of the deal from Hafeez.
• Both suspects were charged with criminal breach of trust, cheating by impersonation and forgery under provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita; they are now under judicial custody for 14 days.
• Police noted that other suspects involved remain on the run.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

This case underscores vulnerabilities within India’s property transaction systems where misuse of legal tools such as power-of-attorney can enable fraudulent activity. It reflects gaps in verifying ownership records and monitoring transaction integrity. Further issues arise when public officials like gazetted officers engage in unethical practices-this erodes public trust.

For governance reformers, this incident reiterates the need to modernize land registration processes through digitization and stronger scrutiny mechanisms to deter frauds like these. Meanwhile, bringing all collaborators swiftly to justice would send an crucial message about strengthening rule of law against economic crimes.

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