Raipur: ED Seizes ₹40 Lakh in Land Acquisition Scam Under Bharatmala Project

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recovered ₹40 lakh in cash while investigating an alleged land acquisition scam linked to the Raipur–Visakhapatnam highway project under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. The searches were carried out on February 29, 2025, across multiple locations in Raipur and Mahasamund districts of Chhattisgarh.

Raids Across Multiple Properties

According to officials, the ED conducted coordinated searches at ten residential and commercial premises connected to key accused persons, including Harmeet Singh Khanuja. The action was taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, following allegations of financial irregularities in land compensation paid for the national highway project.

The case originated from an FIR registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau and Economic Offences Wing (ACB-EOW), Raipur. The complaint named several individuals, including the then Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) of Abhanpur, Nirbhay Sahu, and other public officials, for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Alleged Manipulation of Land Records

Investigators allege that the accused, in collusion with certain government officials, manipulated land ownership records to unlawfully increase compensation payouts. The ED’s probe suggests that large parcels of land were deliberately divided into smaller plots and transferred among family members through backdated entries.

These alterations reportedly made it appear that the subdivisions existed prior to the official land acquisition process, enabling the claimants to receive significantly higher compensation. The excess amount generated through this method has been treated as “proceeds of crime,” resulting in a substantial loss to the public exchequer.

Cash, Documents, and Digital Evidence Seized

During the searches, the ED seized ₹40 lakh in cash along with electronic devices and documents believed to be crucial to the investigation. Officials also traced the alleged diversion of illegal funds into the purchase of movable and immovable assets, some of which were registered in the names of associates and related entities.

Authorities stated that the material recovered during the raids has provided important leads into how property-related fraud and fund transfers were executed.

Broader Implications for Public Projects

ED officials emphasized that the case underscores vulnerabilities in land acquisition and compensation mechanisms for large infrastructure projects. They noted that manipulation of official records not only facilitates corruption but also erodes public confidence in government schemes.

Experts have pointed out that stronger digital land records, regular audits, and transparent verification processes are critical to preventing similar frauds in the future. Enhanced monitoring of financial and banking transactions has also been identified as a key safeguard.

Investigation Ongoing

The Enforcement Directorate has confirmed that the investigation is still underway and further action will be taken based on the evidence collected. Officials reiterated that assets derived from unlawful activities will continue to face strict scrutiny under money laundering laws.