Guava Orchard Scam: Vigilance Bureau Arrests Key Accused Sukhdev Singh in Rs 12 Crore Fraud
Punjab Vigilance Bureau Nabs Key Accused in Guava Orchard Scam, Fraudulently Receiving Rs 12 Crore Compensation
In a significant development in the ongoing Guava Orchard Scam, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested Sukhdev Singh, a resident of Chandigarh, for his role in a fraudulent scheme that resulted in the illicit receipt of approximately Rs 12 crore in compensation. The scam took place during the land acquisition process for the Aerotropolis Project in SAS Nagar, Punjab, in 2016-17.
According to officials from the VB, Sukhdev Singh was a key player in a criminal conspiracy involving multiple individuals, including government officials, and is charged with cheating, forgery, and falsification of records. The fraudulent actions, which caused significant financial loss to the state exchequer, were carried out to illicitly claim compensation for non-existent Guava orchards on a piece of land.
The Fraudulent Scheme: A Web of Deception
The investigation into the Guava Orchard Scam uncovered a sophisticated plot where Sukhdev Singh, in collaboration with the primary accused Bhupinder Singh from Bakarpur village, manipulated land records to fraudulently claim compensation for non-existent fruit-bearing Guava orchards. Singh had purchased 3 Kanal 16 Marla of land in village Bakarpur, SAS Nagar, during the land acquisition process for the Aerotropolis Project. Singh and Bhupinder Singh falsely presented the land as having mature Guava orchards, making it eligible for compensation under the government’s land acquisition guidelines.
To facilitate this deception, Sukhdev Singh and Bhupinder Singh orchestrated the destruction of the original Khasra Girdawri revenue register (2016-2021) for the village. In its place, a forged Khasra Girdawri register was prepared in 2019, which falsely reflected the existence of mature Guava orchards on the land. In further collusion with Bachittar Singh, a revenue Patwari, the land records were manipulated to make it appear as if the orchards had been present for over three years.
Bribes and Financial Collusion: A Strategic Partnership
The investigation revealed that Singh and Bhupinder Singh had an agreement wherein Singh would bear all expenses, including bribing the necessary government officials, while Bhupinder Singh would retain two-thirds of the compensation once it was fraudulently obtained. The compensation was secured by using bribes and personal influence over officials at the Land Acquisition Collector (LAC), Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA).
According to the VB spokesperson, Sukhdev Singh and his wife, Harbinder Kaur, received the compensation in their respective accounts — Rs 2,40,96,442 for Singh and Rs 9,57,86,642 for his wife. The fraudulent compensation was paid out by the LAC, GMADA, based on the forged records that had been manipulated in their favor.
The Scheme Unravels: Land Sales and Further Evidence
To further conceal the illegal gains, Sukhdev Singh and Bhupinder Singh used the ill-gotten money to engage in additional fraudulent activities. Singh sold approximately 6 Bighas of land in Chappar Chiri, SAS Nagar, at an undervalued price to Bhupinder Singh in 2022 after the fraudulent compensation had been received. Similarly, Harbinder Kaur, Singh’s wife, sold 32 Kanals of land in Kailon, SAS Nagar, at a similarly undervalued price, further solidifying the illegal financial transactions.
Despite the VB’s repeated summons and investigation efforts, Sukhdev Singh had evaded legal proceedings and remained uncooperative during the investigation. Unlike other co-accused beneficiaries, Singh neither voluntarily surrendered the compensation amount nor sought anticipatory bail from the court.
The Ongoing Investigation and Recovery of Funds
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau’s efforts to recover the ill-gotten compensation have yielded significant results. As of now, the total amount of compensation recovered in the case stands at Rs 100 crore. This includes the Rs 86 crore previously recovered from other co-accused individuals. The recent arrest of Sukhdev Singh brings the total amount of recovered funds to Rs 12 crore.
So far, the VB has arrested 7 government officials and 16 private individuals involved in the scam. The investigation is ongoing, with further inquiries into the role of other individuals who might have been complicit in the illegal activities.
Legal Consequences and the Path Ahead
The Guava Orchard Scam has highlighted a concerning pattern of corruption and manipulation within the government’s land acquisition processes. As the case progresses, the arrested individuals face serious legal repercussions, with charges including cheating, bribery, and forgery. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau is working diligently to ensure that those involved in the fraudulent activities are held accountable, and efforts are underway to recover the remaining funds fraudulently obtained by the accused.
The case has also raised concerns about the transparency and integrity of the land acquisition processes, especially in high-profile projects such as the Aerotropolis Project. The authorities have vowed to continue their efforts to root out corruption and ensure that such scams are not allowed to compromise public resources.
Conclusion
The arrest of Sukhdev Singh in connection with the Guava Orchard Scam is a major step toward bringing justice and accountability to a case that has resulted in significant financial loss to the state. As the investigation unfolds, it is expected that more individuals will be apprehended, and further revelations will emerge about the scope of the fraudulent scheme. With the total amount of recovered compensation now reaching Rs 100 crore, the authorities are committed to ensuring that all those involved are brought to justice.