FIR against ex-ADM, bankers in ₹400cr land scam

Lucknow: An FIR has been registered against a former additional district magistrate (land acquisition), officials of private power companies and senior bank officials in connection with an alleged land scam worth nearly Rs 400 crore in Kanpur Dehat district.

The action was initiated on the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after an inquiry uncovered large-scale irregularities in land allotted for a proposed thermal power project in the Bhognipur area.

The FIR was lodged at Musanagar police station on the complaint of Bhognipur tehsildar Priya Singh following directions issued by district authorities.

Officials said the case dates back to 2011, when around 2,332 acres of land spread across seven villages was allotted to Himavat Power and Lanco Anpara Power companies for setting up a thermal power plant.

Under the agreement, the companies were required to begin construction and power generation within three years. However, despite nearly 15 years having passed, no power project was established and the acquired land allegedly remained unused.

According to the administration, the companies violated agreement conditions and illegally mortgaged govt and acquired land to banks for securing loans worth nearly Rs 1,500 crore.

The alleged irregularities came to light after district magistrate Kapil Singh received information that govt land had been mortgaged without official permission. An inquiry was subsequently ordered.

Investigators found evidence suggesting collusion between company officials, bank officials and then ADM (land acquisition) OK Singh, who allegedly facilitated the transactions, causing a substantial loss to government revenue.

Authorities further alleged that banks later attempted to auction the land illegally after loan defaults by the companies. The district administration intervened and stopped the proposed auction following directions from the state govt.

Officials said the present circle rate value of the land exceeds Rs 300 crore, while the actual market value is said to be significantly higher.

Following the probe, cases under charges of cheating, criminal conspiracy, forgery and other related sections have been registered against the two companies, officials of IDBI Bank, Canara Bank and Punjab National Bank, besides former administrative officials and employees allegedly linked to the scam.