Dehradun : Arunoday Times
A major administrative crackdown led by Dehradun District Magistrate Savin Bansal has exposed serious irregularities, stamp duty evasion, and illegal property registrations at the Vikasnagar Sub-Registrar Office. Following the findings during a surprise inspection, the government has been recommended to suspend Sub-Registrar Apoorva Singh and initiate departmental disciplinary action.
According to officials, the District Magistrate conducted a surprise raid at the Vikasnagar Sub-Registrar Office on May 4, during which several important records were seized after major discrepancies surfaced. Hundreds of original deed documents from 2018 to 2025 were allegedly found dumped inside the office in suspicious condition. Several property registrations were reportedly kept pending for months and even years without proper entry or official intimation.
One of the biggest revelations during the inspection was linked to the prohibited land holdings of Golden Forest. The administration found nearly 150 allegedly illegal property registrations in accounts that were restricted under Supreme Court orders. Preliminary findings suggest that prohibited lands were illegally registered in violation of rules, causing huge revenue losses and possible fraud against buyers.
The investigation has also identified 47 cases related to stamp duty evasion under Section 47-A. Officials believe the scam could involve revenue losses worth crores of rupees. The district administration has initiated a detailed probe and legal proceedings are expected against those found responsible.
The inspection further exposed serious lapses in record management, lack of transparency in office functioning, and procedural violations. Authorities are now investigating not only the current officials but also the role of previously posted sub-registrars and employees during earlier tenures.
District Magistrate Savin Bansal stated that under the directions of the Chief Minister, the administration is following a strict zero-tolerance policy against corruption, revenue fraud, and irregularities related to land and registry matters. He added that transparent and accountable governance remains the administration’s top priority and more such actions may follow in the future.
