ED attaches ₹6.77 crore properties in Trans-Arunachal Highway compensation scam
Synopsis
The ED has attached three properties worth ₹6.77 crore in Arunachal Pradesh's Trans-Arunachal Highway compensation scam, where a government fact-finding panel earlier found excess payouts of ₹44.98 crore to fictitious beneficiaries. With total proceeds of crime now secured at ₹16.90 crore, the case involves a sitting DC, a junior engineer, and a person who allegedly received ₹5.47 crore in compensation without owning a single asset in the project area.
Key Takeaways
The ED provisionally attached immovable properties worth ₹6.77 crore on 6 November 2026 in the Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) compensation scam.
Total proceeds of crime secured in the case now stand at ₹16.90 crore under PMLA, 2002 .
The Arunachal Pradesh government's fact-finding committee identified excess compensation payments of approximately ₹44.98 crore made to fictitious or ineligible beneficiaries.
Tadar Babin allegedly received ₹5.47 crore in compensation despite possessing no land or asset in the project area.
Earlier actions included seizure of ₹2.62 crore in cash on 6 February 2026 and freezing of bank balances worth ₹5.14 crore .
A charge sheet was filed on 12 March 2024 ; the Special PMLA Court, Yupia took cognisance on 14 March 2024 .
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached immovable properties worth ₹6.77 crore in connection with the Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) land acquisition compensation scam, pushing the total value of proceeds of crime secured in the case to ₹16.90 crore, the central probe agency announced on Friday, 6 November 2026. The attachments were carried out by the ED's Itanagar Sub-Zonal office under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
Properties Attached in Latest Action
The latest round of attachments covers three immovable properties across Arunachal Pradesh. A residential property at Yeggo village, Aalo in West Siang district, held in the name of late Kemo Lollen — the then Deputy Commissioner at Ziro — has been attached to the extent of ₹2.40 crore. The JEYOUCH HUTS Resort at Tigdo Village, Doimukh in Papum Pare district, in the name of Toko That Jotam, has been attached for ₹2 crore. Additionally, a residential and commercial property at A-Sector, Naharlagun in Papum Pare district, in the name of Tadar Babin, has been attached for ₹2.37 crore.
Background: The TAH Compensation Scam
The ED's investigation was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by the Special Investigation Cell (Vigilance) Police Station, Itanagar, regarding large-scale irregularities in the assessment and disbursement of land acquisition compensation under the TAH Project (Potin-Bopi stretch). A fact-finding committee constituted by the Arunachal Pradesh government found excess compensation payments of approximately ₹44.98 crore made to fictitious or ineligible beneficiaries, based on manipulated records prepared by public servants in connivance with private individuals — causing wrongful loss to the government exchequer.
Key Accused and Money Trail
According to the ED, late Kemo Lollen oversaw the disbursement of compensation as the then Ziro Deputy Commissioner. Investigation revealed that an amount of ₹2 crore was allegedly paid in cash to Lollen in consideration of the fraudulent inclusion of an ineligible person as a beneficiary. A further ₹40 lakh was reportedly routed through M/s Tenzin Enterprises and subsequently handed over to Lollen through his son.
Toko Taje, the then Junior Engineer of Yazali Division, was involved in the structural assessment of compensation claims. His family-held property, standing in the name of his son, has been attached. Separately, ₹2 crore was found to have been transferred to the bank account of Toko Youch, wife of Toko Taje, and subsequently layered through various accounts.
Tadar Babin was found to have received compensation of around ₹5.47 crore despite possessing no land, structure, or other asset in the project area and having no lawful entitlement to compensation, according to the ED.
Earlier Actions and Case Timeline
Prior actions in the case include the freezing of bank balances and deposits aggregating to around ₹5.14 crore, and the seizure of ₹2.62 crore in cash during searches conducted on 6 February 2026 — comprising ₹2.40 crore from Likha Maj and ₹22 lakh from Tadar Babin. A Provisional Attachment Order covering immovable properties of Tadar Babin and Likha Maj worth around ₹2.37 crore was issued on 23 March 2026. The ED had filed a charge sheet on 12 March 2024, of which the Special PMLA Court, Yupia took cognisance on 14 March 2024, followed by a supplementary charge sheet on 30 March 2024. Further investigation is currently underway.
Point of View
While a junior engineer's family quietly banks ₹2 crore — this is institutional rot, not individual deviation. The ₹44.98 crore in excess disbursements dwarfs what has been secured so far, raising the question of how much of the money trail has permanently vanished. With further investigation underway, the real test is whether the ED's net reaches the full chain of collusion — or stops at convenient targets.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Trans-Arunachal Highway land acquisition compensation scam?
The Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) scam involves large-scale irregularities in the assessment and disbursement of land acquisition compensation under the TAH Project's Potin-Bopi stretch. A government fact-finding committee found excess payments of approximately ₹44.98 crore made to fictitious or ineligible beneficiaries through manipulated records, causing wrongful loss to the exchequer.
What properties has the ED attached in the latest action?
The ED attached three properties worth ₹6.77 crore: a residential property at Yeggo village, Aalo (₹2.40 crore) in the name of late Kemo Lollen; JEYOUCH HUTS Resort at Tigdo Village, Doimukh (₹2 crore) in the name of Toko That Jotam; and a residential-commercial property at A-Sector, Naharlagun (₹2.37 crore) in the name of Tadar Babin.
Who are the key accused in the TAH compensation scam?
The key individuals named by the ED include late Kemo Lollen, the then Deputy Commissioner at Ziro, who allegedly received ₹2 crore in cash for fraudulently including an ineligible beneficiary; Toko Taje, the then Junior Engineer of Yazali Division, whose family property has been attached; and Tadar Babin, who allegedly received ₹5.47 crore in compensation without any lawful entitlement.
What is the total amount of proceeds of crime secured in the case so far?
With the latest attachment, the total proceeds of crime secured in the TAH scam case stand at approximately ₹16.90 crore. This includes earlier freezing of bank balances worth ₹5.14 crore, cash seizures of ₹2.62 crore, and previous property attachments.
What is the current legal status of the TAH scam case?
The ED filed a charge sheet on 12 March 2024, which the Special PMLA Court, Yupia took cognisance of on 14 March 2024. A supplementary charge sheet followed on 30 March 2024. Further investigation, including scrutiny of bank accounts and documentary evidence, is currently underway.
