Fake Aadhaar scam: Cops solve over 90% of land-grab cases of 2022–2024 in V’pura dist

Vijayapura: District police have solved land-grabbing cases that used fake Aadhaar cards, cracking 25 of the 27 cases registered between 2022 and 2024, said SP Laxman Nimbargi ."A special team was formed under the leadership of Ramanagouda Hatti, Additional SP, to investigate these cases," he said."The investigation into these cases is complete, and the final report was submitted to the court," he added.He said that in 25 cases, landowners lost over 158.1 acres of land and nine NA plots."The accused created fake Aadhaar cards for the landowners and purchased the land in their names," he said.He said charges were filed against 200 accused individuals and that the landowners regained possession of their land."In two cases, a B report was submitted to the court," he said.Explaining the modus operandi, he said that some accused sold small plots and land on commission and worked as bond writers in sub-registrar offices. "Agents who earned commission by selling land collected information about the lands and their documents. The accused often targeted elderly, isolated, or absent landowners." he said. If the fake owners failed to sell the land, the accused registered the land in the name of one of their group members and later sold it to others. Some bond writers in sub-registrar offices were complicit and prepared fake purchase documents, revealed LaxmanFake landowners were brought from villages or other states and provided with fake Aadhaar cards. Members of the fraud gang signed as witnesses on the purchase documents. The gang ensured that fake owners did not visit the village or reside at the given address, he explained.The SP said that in the land-grabbing cases, individuals such as Sudhakar, Bhimray, Sudhakar Charate, Kashinath Rathod, Dattatreya Shivasharan, and Nagappa Kolkar (bond writers), and Rafiq Abdul Latif, Baburao Gangappa, and Bapu Dondiba were found to be involved in multiple cases.He said the investigation into these land-grabbing cases is complete, and the officers and staff involved were commended for their work. GFXHOW THE FRAUD WORKED* Accused worked as agents/bond writers on commission.* Collected land details and targeted elderly/absent owners.* Used fake sellers with fake Aadhaar cards.* Forged documents with help of complicit bond writers.* Shifted land to a group member if fake sale failed.