PNS | DEHRADUN
After registering an FIR against 16 former defence personnel in a land fraud case in Dehradun’s Defence Colony, the police have started collecting relevant documents and interrogating those linked to the case. Since many documents date back nearly 40 years and were likely recorded manually, retrieving them in their original form is challenging, the superintendent of police (City) Pramod Kumar said.
He informed that all accused, office-bearers of the Sainik Cooperative Housing Society Limited, are facing charges of fraud, criminal conspiracy and forgery over the illegal sale of open spaces in the colony. He informed that the case was registered following a complaint filed on February 9 by retired Colonel Ramesh Prasad.
He alleged that the society was established in 1964 to provide housing for serving and retired military personnel. It reportedly had initially earmarked 680 plots with designated open spaces for parks, sports and community activities. However the officials allegedly manipulated records in 1986 and submitted a fraudulent plan to the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) through which they reportedly added 46 illegal plots, increasing the number of plots to 726. It was also alleged that plots were unlawfully sold to non military individuals in violation of the society’s regulations, with sales conducted below the official circle rates to yield financial gains for those involved. The approval date of the layout plan was allegedly altered to show an incorrect sanction year of 1988 instead of 1986. Over 100 plots, including land reserved for public use, were reportedly created and sold illegally over multiple administrative terms. Kumar said that the accused, including former chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, secretaries and administrators of the society, have been booked under relevant sections.
He stated that the police have begun collecting relevant documents and interrogating those linked to the case. “Since many documents date back nearly 40 years and were likely recorded manually, retrieving them in their original form is challenging. However, we are making every effort to gather all necessary evidence for a thorough investigation,” he added.
