Investigation Uncovers Massive Land Purchases by Tax Officials in Mohanlalganj
Lucknow – An investigation into registries has revealed that nearly 50 officers from the State Goods and Services Tax Department have been implicated in purchasing land worth billions. Initial findings indicate that over 200 crore rupees have been spent on land, both registered and unregistered, primarily through a prominent builder in the Mohanlalganj area.
So far, land valued in crores has been discovered under the names of 11 officers. The investigation regarding the officials’ acquisition of such valuable real estate through a builder in the Awadh region has been escalated to government scrutiny. After a preliminary examination validated the complaints, authorities have ordered a detailed investigation and obtained copies of registration forms from the registry office.
Land of Corruption
The investigation revealed that the implicated officers, many of whom have served in the Flying Squad and Special Investigation Team, have invested substantial amounts in the builder’s projects. These officers were often stationed in lucrative positions across various districts, including Ghaziabad, Agra, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Moradabad, and Meerut. The current records show that land papers have been traced back to officials posted in 10 districts, including Saharanpur, Lucknow, Azamgarh, Lakhimpur Kheri, Mirzapur, and Kanpur. Among those identified are Assistant Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Joint Commissioners, and Additional Commissioners.
A Prosperous Pandemic Period
According to sources within the department, the COVID-19 pandemic turned into a period of substantial financial gain for many departmental officers. Those who were posted before 2020 remained in their positions for up to three years without transfer, allowing some officers to stay in the same locale for five years. During this extended tenure, reports suggest that these officials amassed so much wealth that they found it challenging to spend it.
Consequently, a significant portion of this excess wealth was allegedly funneled to the builder for investments in land along Mohanlalganj and Sultanpur Road. Reports indicate that this builder is a close relative of a senior official within the department, which facilitated his entry into the system, allowing him to propose spending the amassed money openly.
As the investigation unfolds, further actions and potential repercussions for the involved officials are anticipated.
