Builder Booked for Using Domestic Worker’s Name in Billion-Rupee Land Scam

Bareilly-based builder Charanpal Singh Sobti has been accused of amassing property worth billions by purchasing land in the name of his long-time domestic worker, Chatrapal Singh. The complaint filed by Chatrapal’s family has triggered a multi-district probe, placing several high-value real estate projects under the scanner.

According to the family, Sobti used Chatrapal’s name to acquire land across Bareilly, Rampur, Rudrapur and adjoining regions, later coercing him into signing a will in his favour. Much of this land is now part of two major colonies being developed along the Kashipur–Rudrapur National Highway, where plotting activities are reportedly complete and sales have already begun. Local residents allege that Surjit Singh, operating under a power of attorney issued by Sobti, has been overseeing plot sales.

Investigators have traced similar real estate activity in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, where properties registered in Chatrapal’s name have been used to develop colonies and even multi-storey hotels. The family claims that land belonging to several farmers, including a 100-acre stretch owned by Gyani Uttam Singh near Dibdiba, was acquired under the same pattern.

Chatrapal’s wife, Manisha Singh, stated that her husband had been working for the Sobti family since 1990, during which time the builder allegedly used incentives and influence to buy properties in his name, open joint bank accounts and conduct large-scale financial transactions. She claims these accounts saw movements of crores of rupees over the years, raising suspicion of deeper financial irregularities.

The family further alleges that Sobti compelled Chatrapal to sign a will years ago, transferring major assets in Rampur and Rudrapur to him. They believe several undisclosed properties and financial dealings are yet to surface as investigations progress.

Preliminary findings by the Income Tax Department indicate benami holdings linked to properties in Dhohra and Haroonagla. Officials are now examining colony development licences, hotel construction records and high-value land transactions to determine the full extent of assets acquired using forged ownership structures. With multiple agencies now reviewing the complaint, more revelations are expected as the probe deepens.

Compliance failures, forged ownership and unrecorded transactions in such cases highlight the importance of transparent financial reporting and structured oversight — areas where regulated bookkeeping services in india help prevent exploitation of vulnerable individuals and misuse of financial systems.