Gujarat cops under cloud in land-grabbing cases

The officer said it was because of the alleged involvement of policemen that the probe in the Pillai murder case had been handed over the Economic Crime Wing (ECW) of the Detection of Crime Branch, though it is not a purely economic offence. Highly-informed police sources said that Pillai had been given a “supari” of Rs 10 lakhs by one of the parties for grabbing the land which was claimed by two persons on the strength ofbanakhats (agreements to sell) they had procured from the original owner in their names.

Commissioner of Police J Mahapatra, asked about the alleged involvement of policemen, said: “It is because of allegations of partisanship of Chhani inspector G R Vaghela that the probe in Pillai’s case has been transferred to ECW”. Vaghela, however, said, “It is the police commissioner’s privilege to hand over probe to anyone he wants”.

Criminals and anti-socials are hired by property developers for grabbing land by getting banakhats signed in their names by threatening land owners. The co-option of police officials helps in land grabbing, without the risks involved in use of criminals. For police officers, its means easy money. According to sources in the police as well as the real estate world, reportedly, an inspector is a partner in almost every building project on VIP Road.

Another inspector is said to be a partner in a number of construction projects being undertaken by a Congress leader and a propertydeveloper in various parts of the city. About a year ago, Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) inspector Kirit Brahmbhatt was suspended for threatening a builder with serious consequences unless he was made a partner in a multi-storeyed complex in a prime area behind the Vadodara Railway Station. The case of Brahmbhatt, who is still under suspension, is pending in the Gujarat High Court. The chargesheet has also been filed in the matter. In a couple of cases, mediapersons were also found involved recently. “When criminal, politician, police and journalists join together, they can threaten anybody into submission and easily grab the property”, said a real estate developer.

Real estate sources said that police officials sign partnerships in their wives’ or relatives’ name to avoid departmental action.