Surat : A shocking land scam has been uncovered in Surat, Gujarat, where five individuals fraudulently obtained farmer certificates and illegally acquired vast tracts of land, converting agricultural plots into commercial properties. The total value of the illegally acquired land has been estimated at Rs.1,053 crores, with potential fines reaching up to Rs.3,500 crores.
The petitioner, Vivek Patel, a resident of Kuvad village in Olpad taluka, has submitted a memorandum to Dr. Jayanti Ravi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department to personally intervene, conduct a thorough legal investigation, and initiate a police complaint against those responsible for the illegal land acquisitions. If found guilty, the individuals and complicit officials could face hefty fines amounting to three times the market value of the land, potentially exceeding ₹3,500 crores.
Fraudulent Acquisition of Land Using Fake Farmer Certificates
According to the petition submitted by the applicant, Dolatbhai Maganbhai Desai was the original owner of land bearing Survey No. 3 in Majura, Surat. However, in 1978, five individuals—Sugamchand Chimanlal Shah, Champaklal Chunilal Jinwala, Dhansukhlal Chunilal Jinwala, Nanubhai Khandubhai Desai, and Ratilal Chhaganlal—illegally obtained farmer certificates under Section-32(m) of the Act. Using forged Specimen No.9 certificates, they were declared farmers despite no valid orders from Mamlatdar and Krishi Pancha Ganot Choriyasi.
Since then, these individuals have engaged in large-scale land profiteering, converting about 6.74 lakh square meters of agricultural land into non-agricultural plots in villages including Abhava, Bhimrad, Bamroli, Khajod, Vesu, Rundh, Gaviar, Sultanabad, Dumas, and Bhimpore. This illegal activity has continued for over four decades, violating land acquisition laws and causing immense financial loss to the state government.
Fraudulent Land Transfers and Illicit Transactions
The fraudulent scheme operated through fake farmer certificates, allowing non-farmers to acquire agricultural land and later convert it into high-value commercial properties. The accused parties managed to have their names illegally entered in village Form No.7/12 through Entry No.665, dated 26/10/1978, without a valid order from the Mamlatdar. Furthermore, they were never officially declared as protected ganotias (tenant farmers) in 1947-48 or 1957, raising serious legal concerns about the legitimacy of their land ownership claims.
Government Action and Legal Ramifications
The petitioner, citing an official letter from Amitbhai Chavda, Leader of the Opposition in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, has demanded an immediate investigation by the Revenue Department. Despite repeated appeals, no inquiry has been conducted by Mamlatdar Majura or the Collector of Surat regarding these fraudulent land transactions.
