Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau Takes Major Step in ₹40 Crore Land Compensation Scam
In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in land acquisition for national infrastructure projects, the Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed its first supplementary chargesheet against three former patwaris. The case revolves around a massive compensation scam linked to the land acquisition process for the proposed Raipur–Visakhapatnam economic corridor under the Bharatmala Project.
Legal Proceedings Initiated in Special Court
The supplementary chargesheet has been formally submitted before the special court in Raipur, marking a crucial phase in the legal proceedings. The accused named in the document are Dinesh Patel, Lekhram Devangan, and Basanti Ghritlahre—all former patwaris who were initially arrested on October 29, 2025. The case has been registered under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with applicable provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
According to ACB officials, the bureau has estimated a prima facie loss of approximately ₹40 crore to the government across various cases connected to these three accused individuals. The investigation remains active, with authorities continuing their probe against other persons allegedly involved in the elaborate scheme.
Detailed Modus Operandi of the Alleged Scam
The ACB's statement reveals a complex conspiracy involving both public servants and private individuals who allegedly manipulated land records during the acquisition process. The fraudulent activities included:
- Creating backdated partition and mutation entries in official land records
- Facilitating wrongful payment of compensation through fraudulent means
- Artificially subdividing land into multiple plots to enable higher compensation payouts
This systematic manipulation of land documentation allowed the accused to siphon off substantial public funds meant for legitimate land acquisition under the prestigious Bharatmala Project.
Individual Roles and Alleged Financial Impact
The chargesheet outlines specific roles and calculated losses attributed to each of the three accused former patwaris:
- Dinesh Patel: The former patwari allegedly misused official procedures including land corrections and form-10 processes to show acquired land as artificially subdivided at the award stage. This manipulation reportedly caused a purported loss of ₹30.82 crore to the government exchequer.
- Lekhram Devangan: Another former patwari accused of facilitating inflated compensation by depicting "original khasra numbers" as artificial subdivisions. The estimated loss attributed to his alleged actions amounts to ₹7.16 crore.
- Basanti Ghritlahre: The third former patwari allegedly carried out similar manipulation of land records, with the stated financial impact calculated at ₹1.67 crore.
The cumulative estimated loss from these three individuals alone reaches nearly ₹40 crore, highlighting the scale of the alleged corruption in land acquisition for one of India's flagship infrastructure projects.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Implications
ACB officials have indicated that further legal action may follow as the investigation against remaining accused persons continues. The filing of this supplementary chargesheet represents a critical milestone in what appears to be a comprehensive crackdown on corruption in land acquisition processes for national infrastructure development.
The case underscores the challenges faced in ensuring transparency and accountability in large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly when substantial public funds and land resources are involved. As the legal process moves forward, it will likely set important precedents for how similar cases are handled in the future.
