16 Senior Retired Officers Booked in Major Dehradun Land Fraud Scandal

A large-scale land fraud has been exposed in Dehradun’s Defense Colony, where over 18,000 square meters of land intended for public use have been illegally occupied and sold. The scandal revolves around the 'Soldiers Cooperative Housing Society,' with an FIR filed against 16 retired military officers for their involvement.

Investigations reveal that the society’s original layout plan was tampered with, inflating the number of plots from the sanctioned 680 to 726. This unauthorized expansion led to the illegal sale of land designated for parks, open spaces, and community welfare.

The fraudulent activities came to light when Colonel Ramesh Prasad Singh (Retd.), a society member, lodged a formal complaint at the Nehru Colony police station. As a result, legal action has been initiated against high-ranking retired officials, including Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, Squadron Leaders, and Majors.

According to the complaint filed by Colonel Ramesh Prasad Singh (Retd.), Lt Col Trijivan Singh Payal (Retd.), and Vijay Mohan Nath, all residents of Sector Four in Defense Colony, the society was originally registered in 1967 under the Registrar of Cooperative Societies in Uttar Pradesh. The society’s purpose was to provide residential solutions for soldiers, veterans, and their families.

Documents indicate that the UP Town and Planning Department approved a layout of 680 plots on December 13, 1967. However, over time, unauthorized modifications were made, leading to the fraudulent addition of 46 extra plots. These plots, intended for public amenities, were allegedly sold at rates below official valuations, benefiting select individuals, some of whom did not have military backgrounds.

SSP Ajay Singh confirmed that legal proceedings are underway, with cases registered against multiple retired officers, including Colonel RS Kali (Retd), Veerabhan Singh, SM Gusaini, RS Panyuli, and SL Panyuli. Additional charges have been filed against Captain TP Kundaliya (Retd.), Lieutenant Colonel AS Kandari (Retd.), PS Rana, CP Sati, GS Bisht, SS Bisht, and SPS Negi.

Other named individuals include Major MS Negi (Retd.), Commandant SS Rawat (Retd.), PO Warrant Officer VK Nautiyal (Retd.), and Squadron Leader SS Bisht (Retd.).

Authorities have launched a thorough investigation to uncover the full extent of the fraud and hold those responsible accountable. The case highlights the need for stricter oversight in cooperative housing societies to prevent such large-scale financial and legal violations in the future.