Dehradun land fraud: Congress councillor Amit Bhandari arrested in ₹30 lakh scam
Synopsis
A Congress councillor in Dehradun has been arrested in a land fraud case where the accused allegedly forged ownership documents, fabricated death certificates of an elderly woman's sons, and sold the same plot to three different buyers. The prime accused already carries 27 prior FIRs — and police say the network runs deeper.
Key Takeaways
Dehradun Police arrested Congress councillor Amit Bhandari (alias Deepu) on Saturday, 24 May in connection with an alleged land fraud racket.
Prime accused Pradeep Saklani and associate Ajay Sajwan were arrested on Friday in the same case.
The accused allegedly forged ownership documents and fabricated fake death certificates of an elderly Maharashtra-based woman's two sons to claim fraudulent property rights.
The same plot was allegedly sold to three different buyers , cheating multiple individuals.
Saklani has 27 prior FIRs against him; the current case FIR was filed in October last year over a ₹30 lakh cheating complaint.
Police are likely to seek Police Custody Remand (PCR) of Saklani to map the wider alleged network.
Dehradun Police arrested Congress councillor Amit Bhandari, also known as Deepu, on Saturday, 24 May in connection with an alleged organised land fraud racket operating in the city. Bhandari's arrest follows the earlier detention of the case's prime accused, Pradeep Saklani, and his associate Ajay Sajwan, on Friday in the same matter.
How the Fraud Operated
According to police officials, Saklani and his network allegedly duped multiple buyers by fabricating ownership documents for a plot of land in Dehradun belonging to an elderly woman currently residing in Maharashtra. The accused reportedly went further, allegedly creating fake death certificates of the woman's two sons to establish fraudulent inheritance and ownership claims over the property.
Using these forged papers, the accused reportedly sold the same piece of land to three different buyers, cheating multiple individuals simultaneously — a practice commonly known as multi-sale fraud.
Saklani's Criminal Record and Police Action
Police records indicate that Pradeep Saklani already has as many as 27 FIRs lodged against him across different cases involving fraud and cheating. An initial FIR in the current case — registered as Case No. 82/26 — was filed in October last year over allegations of cheating a person out of ₹30 lakh.
SP City Pramod Kumar said that during questioning, Saklani disclosed the names of several individuals allegedly linked to the wider fraud network, prompting special police teams to intensify interrogation. 'During interrogation, Pradeep Saklani revealed the names of several accomplices, following which special teams carried out detailed questioning of the suspects,' officials stated.
Councillor's Arrest and Evidence
'Councillor Amit Bhandari was arrested after concrete evidence establishing his involvement in this fraud case came to light,' officials stated. His arrest marks a political dimension to what had initially appeared to be a localised property crime, given his position as an elected Congress representative in the city.
Some other suspects questioned during the investigation were subsequently handed over to their families after no conclusive evidence emerged against them. However, they have been directed to remain available for further cooperation with investigators.
What Happens Next
Police officials indicated they are likely to seek Police Custody Remand (PCR) of prime accused Saklani to probe the full extent of the alleged network and uncover additional links within the land scam. The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests cannot be ruled out as questioning continues.
Point of View
But the more telling detail is Saklani's rap sheet — 27 FIRs across different cases, yet the network allegedly continued operating until a fresh complaint forced action. That raises a pointed question about why a repeat offender with such an extensive record was able to recruit political contacts and fabricate documents, including death certificates, without earlier intervention. The involvement of forged death certificates to manufacture inheritance claims signals a level of sophistication that goes beyond opportunistic fraud. If police remand reveals a broader network, this case could expose systemic gaps in Dehradun's land registry verification mechanisms.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Amit Bhandari and why was he arrested?
Amit Bhandari, also known as Deepu, is a Congress councillor in Dehradun who was arrested on 24 May in connection with an alleged organised land fraud case. Police stated that concrete evidence linking him to the fraud — registered as Case No. 82/26 — emerged during questioning of co-accused Pradeep Saklani.
What is the Dehradun land fraud case about?
The case involves an alleged racket in which the accused forged property ownership documents and fabricated fake death certificates of an elderly Maharashtra-based woman's two sons to claim fraudulent ownership of her Dehradun plot. The same land was allegedly sold to three different buyers, cheating multiple individuals. An initial FIR was filed in October last year over a ₹30 lakh cheating complaint.
Who is Pradeep Saklani and what is his background?
Pradeep Saklani is identified as the prime accused and alleged mastermind of the fraud network. Police records show he has as many as 27 FIRs lodged against him in different fraud and cheating cases. He was arrested on Friday along with associate Ajay Sajwan.
What happens next in the investigation?
Police officials said they are likely to seek Police Custody Remand (PCR) of prime accused Pradeep Saklani to probe the wider network and uncover additional details linked to the alleged land scam. Further arrests have not been ruled out as the investigation continues.
Were any other suspects arrested in the case?
Besides Bhandari, Saklani, and Sajwan, several other suspects were questioned by special police teams. Those against whom no conclusive evidence emerged were handed over to their families but have been directed to remain available for further questioning.
