Ahmedabad family of 12 nabbed as bogus farmer account holders in Khambhat

Twelve individuals from Ahmedabad allegedly posed as fake farmers and purchased agricultural land worth crores of rupees in Khambhat taluka’s Golana and other locations across Gujarat. 

When the matter reached the District Land Vigilance Committee, an inquiry revealed a scam in which bogus farmers bought large tracts of land. Following this, Khambhat Rural Police registered a case, and Anand LCB took over the investigation.

A complaint was filed by Vijaykumar Bharwad of Galiyana, Tarapur. As per the complaint, Suvarnaben Surendrabhai Soni and others residing in Bopal, Ahmedabad, purchased agricultural land in Golana village of Khambhat despite not being farmers. After this came to light, he approached the Anand District Land Vigilance Committee.

During the SIT inquiry, it was found that Suvarnaben, Deeptiben Kiran Kumar Chokshi, Nishith Surendrabhai Soni, Truptiben Surendrabhai Soni, Swapnil Surendrabhai Soni, Sneha Kiran Kumar Chokshi, Poulomi Kiran Kumar Chokshi, Ravi Kiran Kumar Chokshi, Alpa Nishithbhai Soni, Sagar Nishithbhai Soni, Akash Nishithbhai Soni, and Badal Nishithbhai Soni had conspired together.

In the revenue records (7/12 extract) of land in Lakhapar, Lakhpat (Kutch), the original owner’s name was mentioned as “Surendra Ambalal (Brahmin),” but his surname was not recorded. Taking undue advantage of this, they misused the fact that Suvarna Ben’s husband was also named Surendra Ambalal. In October 2018, Trupti applied to register inheritance by claiming the land belonged to Surendrabhai Soni.

To make the process look legally valid, they falsely claimed that Surendra had died on 23 January 2009 and submitted a bogus death certificate. They also produced a fake family lineage document and panchanama, showing Suvarnaben, Deepti, Nishith, Trupti, and Swapnil as the legal heirs, which they submitted to the Bopal talati officer. Based on these false documents, the Lakhpat Mamlatdar was misled, and on October 3, 2018, the inheritance entry was certified.

Using this bogus inheritance record as proof, land in Kasindra, Daskroi, was purchased on 26 December 2018. Later, Deepti executed a fake affidavit and family lineage document, adding the names of other family members as co-owners.

Now, a complaint has been registered against 12 members of the Soni family from Ahmedabad with Khambhat Rural Police.