What Are the Details Behind the Jharkhand Tribal Land Scam?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- ED raids in Ranchi and Delhi targeting tribal land scam.
- More than six locations in Ranchi and three in Delhi were searched.
- Investigation involves property documents and financial records.
- Key suspects include land mafia and resort owners.
- Raids conducted under the PMLA.
Ranchi, Sep 23 (NationPress) On Tuesday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted extensive raids in both Ranchi and Delhi as part of their investigation into a significant scam involving tribal-owned land. Sources indicate that more than six sites in Ranchi and three locations in Delhi were targeted by ED officials.
Multiple teams have been mobilized to scrutinize property documents, financial records, and digital evidence connected to land dealers, builders, and middlemen allegedly involved in this illicit operation.
The raids in Ranchi spanned several notable areas, including Kanke Resort in Kanke, Sukhdev Nagar on Ratu Road, Kadru, Bariatu, and Ashok Nagar.
In Delhi, searches focused on sites believed to be linked to influential land brokers and their associates.
This crackdown is associated with fraudulent activities in Chama Mouza under the Kanke block, where tribal land was reportedly converted into “general plots” using forged documents, and sold at inflated prices.
Investigators suspect that the proceeds from these transactions were laundered to present them as legitimate income.
The ED is currently focusing on individuals such as alleged land mafia Kamlesh Kumar Singh and the owner of Kanke Resort, B.K. Singh, whose locations are being searched.
The investigations also extend to those closely allied with them, including property dealers and document facilitators.
This is not the first instance of the agency's involvement in this case. On July 10, 2024, an ED team visited Kanke to inspect disputed land parcels. During that operation, investigators reviewed land records under the Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act, examined government land registers, and recorded statements from local residents.
The ongoing raids are being executed under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED suspects that forged deeds and fabricated revenue records were employed to illegally acquire tribal land, facilitating its unlawful sale and subsequent laundering of illicit profits through real estate and other investments.