Navsari DILR Office’s Former Surveyor Sentenced to Two Years in Jail for Accepting Bribe

A Valsad court has sentenced a former surveyor of the Navsari District Inspector of Land Records (DILR) office to two years in jail and imposed a fine of ₹1,500 for accepting a ₹50,000 bribe to delay and obstruct the legal process for preparing property cards. The trial against the other accused ended after his death.

106 Plots in Khambhalwadi Village

According to the case details, 106 plots numbered 1 to 106 had been developed on land in Khambhalwadi village of Vansda taluka. The original landowner had authorised Mehul Jitendrabhai Mehta to undertake the process of getting property cards prepared for all the plots.

In 2011, Mehul Mehta paid the prescribed fees at the District Inspector of Land Records office in Navsari and completed the required measurement and re-survey process for the plots. However, despite the measurement being completed, then surveyor Arjun J. Gamit allegedly raised objections and unnecessarily delayed the preparation of the Khata Diary and property cards.

Surveyor Demanded ₹65,000

When Mehul Mehta requested that the property cards be prepared quickly, surveyor Arjun Gamit allegedly demanded ₹65,000, stating that the work involved preparing property cards for an area measuring 5,216 square metres and that the process would be stopped if the money was not paid.

During subsequent discussions, the amount was settled at ₹50,000. Gamit allegedly asked Mehta to bring the first instalment of ₹15,000 to the office on February 4, 2011, while the remaining ₹35,000 was to be paid after completion of the work.

ACB Lays Trap

Mehta subsequently approached the Valsad Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), following which officials laid a trap. Arjun Gamit was caught while allegedly accepting the ₹50,000 bribe, following which the ACB registered a case and arrested him.

Court Relies on Witnesses, Evidence

After the ACB filed a charge sheet against the accused, the case was heard in the Valsad court. During the trial, government prosecutor Navin Prajapati presented arguments based on the statements of several witnesses and other evidence.

At the conclusion of the proceedings, Judge P.J. Tamakuwala sentenced Arjun Gamit to two years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1,500 in the bribery case. He was also sentenced under another section.

Co-Accused Died During Trial

The other accused, Bhikhubhai Koli, died during the course of the trial.