ACB forms SIT to probe ₹1,500-crore land NA scam in Surendranagar

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a comprehensive probe into the alleged ₹1,500-crore non-agricultural (NA) land scam in Surendranagar district, in which senior revenue officials, including the sitting district Collector, have been named as accused.

According to an official on Monday, a case has been registered at the Surendranagar ACB police station against Deputy Mamlatdar Chandrasinh Mori, Surendranagar Collector Rajendra Mahendrabhai Patel, district office clerk Mayur Gohil, and Jayrajsinh Jhala, personal assistant to the Collector. The accused have been booked under Sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 

In view of the gravity of the allegations and the scale of the suspected financial irregularities, ACB Director Piyush Patel has ordered the formation of an SIT to ensure a neutral, impartial and time-bound investigation, including a probe into the disproportionate assets of the accused officials.

The SIT has been constituted under the leadership of Additional Director of ACB Bipin Ahir, and includes senior officers from multiple units of the bureau. The team comprises B J Pandya, K H Gohil (Deputy Director, ACB Administration, Ahmedabad), R B Desai (Assistant Director, Rajkot ACB), D N Patel, M D Patel, and P A Dekawadia (Assistant Director, ACB Headquarters, Ahmedabad). Police inspectors from Ahmedabad City, Surendranagar and Morbi ACB units have also been included in the team.

ACB officials said the SIT will examine alleged irregularities in granting NA permissions, misuse of official position, and accumulation of assets disproportionate to known sources of income. The investigation will involve scrutiny of revenue records, financial transactions and the role of each accused in the alleged land dealings.

The complaint against the Deputy Mamlatdar, the district Collector, the clerk and the Collector’s personal assistant had earlier triggered widespread attention, given the scale of the alleged scam and the seniority of the officials involved. Further action will follow based on the findings of the SIT, the ACB said.