Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has apprehended Iqbal Singh Sandhu, a retired Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officer, in connection with a sprawling land acquisition scam amounting to Rs 5.49 crores (5,49,18,523). The arrest took place amidst a labyrinth of fraudulent activities related to the acquisition of 94.97 acres for the Surya Enclave Extension by the Improvement Trust Jalandhar, during Sandhu’s tenure as SDM-cum-Land Acquisition Collector (LAC).
VB spokesperson disclosed intricate details of the probe, revealed that the compensation process for the said land was marred by deceitful practices. Bogus documents were crafted to replace the legitimate beneficiaries, leading to a large-scale embezzlement.
The case, initially registered on October 29, 2013, under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), was later transferred to the Vigilance Bureau for a thorough investigation. The investigation unearthed a conspiracy involving Sandhu and other officials of the Improvement Trust, leading to a misappropriation of Rs 4.32 crores (4,32,15,438).
Further details revealed that Sandhu, in collusion with Manjit Sharma of Aman Nagar, Jalandhar, fabricated files with counterfeit documents for compensating the supposed landowners. These files were expedited through the system within three-four days, resulting in bank cheques worth Rs 5,49,18,523 being issued to fictitious claimants.
The investigation also highlighted Sandhu's close association with Manjit Sharma. It was discovered that Sandhu had used his position to facilitate the issuance of a new passport for Sharma in 2012, demonstrating the depth of their relationship and mutual involvement in corrupt activities.
To date, 14 individuals have been arrested in connection with this case, including Manjit Sharma, Sukhdev Singh Patwari, an Improvement Trust employee, Prem Prakash Nambardar, advocates Mohit Bhardwaj and Deepak Sadana, among others. These arrests underscored the widespread nature of the scam, implicating various officials and private individuals across Jalandhar.
Sandhu is scheduled to be presented in the competent court in Jalandhar on Thursday, where the Bureau will seek his remand for further interrogation. Spokesperson affirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with the VB committed to uncovering every facet of this elaborate scam.
