Chandigarh, February 28, 2025:  The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has registered a case against nine individuals. They fraudulently executed the sale deed of 14 Kanal land in Ludhiana. The land belongs to an NRI residing in the USA. They used forged documents. In this connection, VB has arrested Advocate Gurcharan Singh of Ludhiana. He played a key role in facilitating the fake land registration worth crores of rupees.

VB Uncovers Rs 6 Crore Land Fraud at Ludhiana Sub-Registrar Office

An official spokesperson of the VB disclosed this here today. They mentioned that on February 21, 2025, VB Range Ludhiana conducted a surprise check. The check took place at the Sub-Registrar Office, Tehsil West, Ludhiana. This action followed intelligence inputs about a fraudulent land registration. Investigations revealed that a sale deed of this prime land near Loduwal-Verka bypass had been executed on February 11, 2025. It was between Deep Singh (seller) and Deepak Goel of Panchkula (buyer) at a cost of Rs 30 lakh. However, its market value is Rs six crores (approximately). However, it was found that the actual owner is Deep Singh. He (NRI ) has been residing in the USA. An imposter had appeared at the Tehsil office for the registration.

NRI ; Tehsildar, Witnesses Involved in Ludhiana Land Fraud Confirmed During Surprise Check

He further stated that officials seized the original sale deed during the surprise check.. The verification confirmed the fraud. Tehsildar West Ludhiana, Jagsir Singh Saran, executed the sale deed in the presence of a fake Deep Singh. On behalf of buyer Deepak Goel, an individual named Amit Gaur appeared and signed the registration documents. The witnesses identified the imposter as the genuine landowner. These witnesses included property dealer Raghbir Singh, Advocate Gurcharan Singh, and Namberdar Baghel Singh.

Fraudster Registers NRI’s Ludhiana Land Using Fake Aadhaar, PAN Cards

Further inquiry established that the disputed 14 Kanal land lies in Village Noorpur Bet under Police Station Ladowal, Ludhiana’s jurisdiction.The real owner, Deep Singh, aged 55, has been living in the USA since birth along with his family. However, during the fraudulent registration process, the imposter used a forged Aadhaar card and PAN card, misrepresenting his age as 39 years (born in 1985), whereas the actual Deep Singh was born in 1971.

VB Lodges FIR Against Tehsildar, Advocate, and 7 Others Over Property Fraud

The spokesperson added that the probe also found serious lapses on the part of revenue officials, who failed to verify the antecedents of those involved. The Economic Offences Wing registered FIR No. 4 dated February 27, 2025, under Sections 318(4), 319(2), 336(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and entrusted the investigation to VB Range Ludhiana. The accused include Tehsildar Jagsir Singh Saran, buyer Deepak Goel, Namberdar Baghel Singh, registry clerk Krishan Gopal, Advocate Gurcharan Singh, Amit Gaur, the fake Deep Singh, a computer operator, and property dealer Raghbir Singh. On the basis of the investigation report, VB has arrested Advocate Gurcharan Singh, who had signed as a witness and identified the fake Deep Singh. He would be produced in court tomorrow. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused, the spokesperson added.