The Adalaj Police have registered a criminal case against two individuals accused of attempting to fraudulently acquire ancestral agricultural land worth nearly ₹40 crore in Gujarat's Amiyapur village through forged legal documents and fabricated property records.
According to investigators, the accused allegedly created counterfeit identity documents, forged a Special Power of Attorney (SPA), and prepared fake sale deeds in an attempt to transfer ownership of valuable agricultural land without the knowledge or consent of its lawful owners.
Forged Documents Allegedly Used to Transfer High-Value Land
The investigation traces the alleged conspiracy back to 2019, when the accused reportedly targeted approximately 57,838.50 square metres of agricultural land spread across 13 survey numbers belonging to the Valand family.
Police allege that the suspects prepared a fraudulent Special Power of Attorney on a ₹100 stamp paper by using:
- Forged photographs
- Counterfeit identity documents
- Fabricated signatures of the four co-owner brothers
Investigators claim that the forged SPA enabled the primary accused, Gaurang Girishbhai Patel, to falsely represent himself as the family's authorised representative.
Using the allegedly fabricated authority, Patel is accused of executing three sale deeds transferring the land in favour of co-accused Mayur Hasmukhbhai Hirpara, despite having no legal authority to do so.
Settlement Offer Triggered Suspicion
The alleged fraud came to light after an intermediary approached a relative of the landowners, Mahendrabhai Parekh, seeking a financial settlement regarding the disputed property.
During the discussions, copies of the purported sale agreements were produced, claiming that approximately ₹15.82 crore had already been paid to the landowners through multiple Axis Bank cheques.
However, family members identified several irregularities, including:
- Missing mandatory witness signatures.
- Unusual formatting of cheque references.
- Suspicious documentation inconsistencies.
These discrepancies prompted the family to verify the records with the Sub-Registrar's office and revenue authorities.
Official Verification Exposed Alleged Forgery
According to police, verification conducted with the Sub-Registrar's office confirmed that the alleged sale deeds had never been officially registered in government records.
Authorities further reported that forensic examination of the stamp papers revealed that the security franking marks were counterfeit, indicating that the documents had been fabricated outside the official registration process.
These findings prompted the registration of a criminal case and a wider investigation into the alleged property fraud.
Police Expand Investigation
The complaint, filed by Maheshbhai Keshavlal Valand, alleges that the accused intended not only to unlawfully transfer ownership but also to cloud the property's legal title in an effort to pressure the family into paying nearly ₹40 crore to settle the fabricated dispute.
Investigators have launched a comprehensive probe involving:
- Forensic examination of signatures and handwriting.
- Verification of notary records.
- Analysis of banking transactions.
- Examination of stamp paper procurement.
- Review of land registration documentation.
Authorities are also exploring whether a broader network involving document forgers, legal intermediaries, stamp vendors, or other facilitators may have assisted in the alleged conspiracy.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further action will depend on the evidence gathered during the course of the probe.
Shunyatax Global Insight
Property fraud involving forged powers of attorney continues to pose a serious threat to landowners, particularly in high-value real estate markets. Experts recommend that property owners periodically verify land records through official government portals, monitor title changes, and exercise caution before signing or authorising legal documents. Strong document verification systems and forensic investigation remain critical tools in combating organised land fraud.
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