Dehradun, September 24, 2026: A meeting of the Land Fraud Coordination Committee was held at the Commissioner’s Camp Office on EC Road, Dehradun, under the chairmanship of Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swarup. The meeting reviewed 56 cases related to land fraud, encroachment on government land, fraudulent land transfers using forged documents, and unauthorized plotting across various districts of the Garhwal division.
12 Cases Resolved, FIRs Ordered in 8 Cases
During the meeting, 56 cases were presented before the committee, of which 12 cases were resolved. Directions were issued to register FIRs in 8 cases, while an SIT investigation was ordered in one case. For the remaining 35 cases, concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), Tehsildars, and departmental officials were directed to examine relevant records and facts and submit detailed investigation reports.
Commissioner Anand Swarup instructed officials to ensure effective and impartial investigations into land fraud cases and take strict action against those found responsible. He emphasized that complaints related to encroachment or illegal occupation of government land must not be taken lightly and should be investigated seriously, with action taken as per the applicable rules.
Priority Action on Government Land Encroachment
The Commissioner directed SDMs, Tehsildars, and officials of municipal corporations and urban local bodies to examine complaints of government land encroachment on a priority basis.
He instructed the concerned departments to coordinate with one another and initiate timely action whenever cases involving fraudulent transactions or illegal occupation of government land come to light.
The Police Department was directed to take necessary action in accordance with the law when complaints are submitted in land fraud cases. The Commissioner further instructed that an FIR be registered where a prima facie cognizable offence is established, in accordance with legal provisions.
Review of Specific Land Fraud Cases
The committee also reviewed several specific cases involving land disputes and alleged irregularities across Haridwar, Dehradun, Pauri, and Kotdwar.
Haridwar’s Bahadrabad area: The Commissioner reviewed a case involving cultivation on Gram Sabha land and directed officials to investigate under whose instructions permission had been granted for cultivation on the land. Directions were also issued to take action for the attachment of the concerned crop as per the applicable rules.
Kesar Hind land transfer case: In a case involving land recorded in the name of Kesar Hind in Haridwar that was subsequently transferred to other individuals, officials were directed to examine the transfer process, revenue records, and relevant documents and submit a detailed report.
Kankhal land fraud case: Directions were issued to register an FIR against the concerned property dealer in connection with a land fraud case in Kankhal. The Commissioner stressed that strict legal action must be ensured against individuals involved in land-related fraud.
Bharuwala, Dehradun: The meeting reviewed a case involving approximately 70 bighas of land belonging to the Anglo-Indian and Domicile Committee, which had allegedly been transferred to the names of other individuals. Officials were directed to conduct a detailed investigation and submit a report. The Commissioner also instructed officials to obtain the committee’s governing Act, examine its bylaws, and investigate the entire land transfer process.
Rajpur Road, Dehradun: In a case related to land belonging to the Multipurpose Financial Development Corporation, the Municipal Corporation was directed to submit a detailed report along with complete records and relevant documents.
Kotdwar and Pauri: Officials were directed to investigate cases involving unauthorized plotting and the sale of land beyond the prescribed share and submit factual reports.
Verification of Historical Revenue Records Ordered
Commissioner Anand Swarup directed officials to examine not only current land records but also older revenue records, including Khasra-Khatauni, maps, registered deeds, and other relevant documents wherever necessary. The objective is to establish the actual position regarding land ownership and transfer.
He emphasized that the Revenue Department, Police Department, municipal bodies, Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA), and other concerned departments must work in coordination to ensure effective action in land fraud cases.
Officials Attend the Meeting
The meeting was attended by Forest Conservator Kalyani, Rishikesh Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nath Shukla, Superintendent of Police (Rural) Swatantra Kumar, SDM Sadar Apoorva Singh, SDM Vikasnagar Vinod Kumar, SDM Doiwala Aparna Dhaundiyal, SDM Rishikesh Kumkum Joshi, District Government Counsel (Revenue) Nitin Vashishtha, and SDMs from Roorkee and Kotdwar, along with officials from the Municipal Corporation, MDDA, and other concerned departments.
District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, and concerned officials from various districts of the Garhwal division joined the meeting virtually.
