Nagpur: A shocking land fraud case has surfaced in Nagpur, where accused persons allegedly sold a plot of land by falsely claiming that its deceased owner was still alive. The Wadi Police have registered a criminal case against four individuals for cheating, forgery, and conspiracy. No arrests have been made so far.

Landowner Had Died Five Years Ago

According to police, the complainant, Mohammad Ashfaq Abdul Aziz Rangoonwala (53), a businessman and resident of Raj Nagar, purchased a parcel of land located at Mouza Waghma for ₹20 lakh. The land comprises Survey Nos. 110/3, 111/2, and 112/2, recorded under Patwari No. 07.

Investigations revealed that the actual owner of the property, Sopan Suruse, had passed away nearly five years ago. Despite this, the accused allegedly hatched a conspiracy to impersonate the deceased landowner and execute a fraudulent sale transaction.

Forged Documents Used in Property Deal

Police said the accused allegedly prepared forged land ownership documents and presented another individual as Sopan Suruse during the transaction. Based on these documents and representations, the complainant purchased the land.

The fraud came to light when the land records and ownership documents were later verified. During the verification process, authorities discovered that the original landowner had already died, exposing the alleged scam.

Four Accused Named in FIR

The accused named in the case include:

• Prakash Jayramdas Motiyani (50), resident of Kachhi Colony
• Rakesh Girdharilal Katke (47), resident of Pardi
• Rakesh Uddhavraj Gupta (47)
• One other unidentified accused

The alleged fraud occurred between May 7, 2023, and January 5, 2026, according to the complaint.

Police Investigation Underway

Following the complaint, Wadi Police Station registered a case against the accused. Police officials have launched a search operation to trace and arrest the suspects. Further investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the fraud and whether similar transactions were carried out using forged identities and documents.