Udaipur: In a major development in the high-profile 272 plots scam of Udaipur Municipal Corporation, the Special Operations Group (SOG) arrested a sixth accused late last night. The accused allegedly forged documents to fraudulently obtain a lease deed for a municipal plot in Hiran Magri.
According to ASP Swati Sharma of the SOG, the Municipal Corporation had filed a complaint in 2022. The complaint highlighted irregularities concerning plot number 708 in Sector-3, Hiran Magri, which was transferred to the corporation by the Urban Improvement Trust (UIT).
The accused, identified as Deepak Singh Chauhan, a resident of Purohiton Ki Madri, forged allocation letters, possession papers, and office notations. Subsequently, he secured a lease deed in the name of Bharat Kumar Bhatt, a resident of Baghpura.
Deepak Singh’s arrest follows the apprehension of five other accused in the case, including Rakesh Solanki, Kishanlal, Rajendra Dhakad, and Rajdeep Valmiki. The SOG team will send handwriting samples of the accused for forensic analysis and continue interrogations to uncover further connections in the scam.
The scam traces back to 2012 when UIT transferred several colonies to the Udaipur Municipal Corporation. Among these, many plots were vacant, particularly corner plots. Due to poor oversight, individuals illegally occupied some plots, while fraudulent documents were created to transfer ownership of others.
Some of these plots were reportedly sold by intermediaries. In 2022, Congress Councilor Ajay Porwal raised the issue, leading to an investigation and the cancellation of 48 leases by the corporation.
This issue has drawn significant political attention. Former Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and MLA Tarachand Jain have actively voiced concerns, estimating the scam to be worth approximately ₹500 crore.
The SOG is intensifying its probe to identify all individuals involved in this large-scale fraud. The arrests highlight the seriousness of the case, with authorities determined to hold all perpetrators accountable.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.