Land grab scam exposed using fake Aadhaar; documents

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

A land grab scam has come to light in which fraudsters attempted to seize a plot by presenting a different woman in place of the original owner and preparing a Power of Attorney (PoA). The attempt targeted a plot of approximately 1,404.36 square feet (sq.ft) in Sillod. The case came to the authorities’ attention because it occurred at the office of the joint sub-registrar in the Collectorate, raising suspicions about the department. Notably, this is the second scam in the same department within a week, suggesting the possibility of a large-scale land grab racket being active in the city.

The accused are Shakir Khan Jumma Pathan, Shaikh Gufran Yusuf Shaikh, and Wasim Khan Yusuf Pathan (residents of Sillod). A case was registered against them on Monday at the City Chowk police station. The complainant, Surekha Vilas Choudhary (63), owns a 130.61 square metres plot in Bapunagar, Sillod. The accused allegedly presented another woman at the Registrar’s office, prepared a PoA (kul mukhtyarnama) in her name, and attempted to take possession of the plot.

Investigation revealed shocking details. Instead of the original Surekha Choudhary, a woman named Surekha Vilas Choudhary (45, resident of Raver, Jalgaon district) was presented. Fake documents were submitted, and false statements were recorded to prepare a PoA in the name of Wasim Khan Yusuf Pathan. The scam reportedly took place on December 26, 2025. Based on the complaint filed by the joint sub-registrar, Ravindra Tonde, a case has been registered, and assistant police inspector Manoj Shinde is investigating.

How did the process go unnoticed?

A fake Aadhaar card in the complainant’s name was used. While the original Surekha was 63, the woman presented was shown as 43. How did this discrepancy go unnoticed during registration?

Why was the difference in photographs between the Aadhaar Card and the woman present not detected during the process?

The registration system claims that documents are processed via the computerised AIS system and biometric verification, after which the original documents are returned to the rightful owner. How was the process allowed to continue despite discrepancies in the biometric verification?

Second consecutive scam? department under suspicion

A similar attempt occurred in Satara on March 25, where another woman was presented in place of the original owner to prepare a PoA and seize land. This has put the Sub-Registrar department under suspicion. Police suspect that some contractual staff, recruited in large numbers, may be colluding with fraudsters.

Alongside these two cases, a complaint in Pundaliknagar also revealed the use of fake Aadhaar cards. This suggests that gangs producing counterfeit Aadhaar cards have become active in the city and are exploiting government offices extensively.