Land regn case: Suspended tehsildar sent to judicial custody

Panchkula: Suspended Raipur Rani tehsildar Vikram Singla, who was arrested by the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) for allegedly facilitating the registration of 18 acres of land despite a court stay, was Thursday sent to judicial custody. His two-day police remand ended earlier in the day.ACB officials said during Singla's questioning, the name of a revenue officer surfaced. The officer was called for inquiry but switched off his phone. According to the ACB, he is a cousin of accused Naveen and allegedly played a role in the transaction. He has not yet joined the investigation.Officials said the bureau has gathered several other leads and is examining the possible involvement of more individuals. No further police remand was sought for Singla.Singla was arrested on Jan 31. The case relates to land in Raipur Rani tehsil linked to the Pearl Group, on which the Supreme Court imposed a stay in 2017 while the matter was being probed by the CBI.Despite the stay, the land was allegedly registered in the name of Naveen, a resident of Badala village in Hansi. Singla reportedly cited a letter from the SDM to justify the registration, but the SDM later accused him of forging signatures, leading to the addition of forgery charges.Investigators also found that the stay on the land was allegedly lifted improperly and the registry was carried out. Within 21 days of the first registration, the 18-acre parcel in Shahpur village was sold to four buyers in plots of around 4.42 to 4.44 acres each. tnn