New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday arrested a 1998-batch Indian Administrative Service officer in connection with an alleged ₹400 crore land allocation fraud involving prime government land in a major state capital, officials said.
The officer, who served as Secretary in the Urban Development Ministry of the state until last year, was arrested from his residence in the early hours of Wednesday following raids at multiple locations including his official residence, a farmhouse on the outskirts of the city, and offices of two private companies allegedly linked to him.
According to the CBI's First Information Report, the officer allegedly facilitated the irregular allotment of over 45 acres of prime government land to private real estate developers between 2019 and 2022, in exchange for payments routed through shell companies. The land, situated in a rapidly developing area of the city, is estimated to be worth over ₹400 crore at current market prices.
Investigation Widens
Sources in the investigating agency said the arrested officer is believed to be one of several officials involved in the scam, and that the investigation is expected to widen significantly in the coming weeks. CBI teams are currently examining land allotment files and bank records seized during Wednesday's raids.
Two private real estate developers who are alleged beneficiaries of the irregular allotments have also been named in the FIR and are expected to be summoned for questioning. The CBI has sought look-out notices for both individuals.