17 September,2026 04:47 PM IST | Nanded | mid-day online correspondent
Officials said the investigation revealed that a total of 35 people were allegedly cheated of Rs 11.85 crore. Representational Pic/File
Nanded city police in Maharashtra have arrested three people for allegedly preparing forged land records and selling the same agricultural property to multiple buyers, officials said, reported the PTI.
The accused allegedly cheated 35 people of Rs 11.85 crore through the fraud, according to the police.
The accused have been identified as Rahul Nagorao Gaikwad (38), Jakhaji alias Bandu Dhondiji Pawde (43), and Amol Ashokrao Malegaonkar (42), the news agency reported.
According to the police, Gaikwad allegedly befriended complainant Devendra Sharma in January this year.
Gaikwad allegedly showed Sharma forged documents claiming ownership of an agricultural plot at Mendhla Khurd in Ardhapur tehsil and later entered into an agreement to sell the property to him.
Police said that Sharma paid Rs 35 lakh for the land.
He later learnt that the same property had allegedly been sold to other people as well. Following his complaint, a case was registered at Vazirabad police station, as per the PTI.
According to the PTI, during the investigation, police allegedly found that the accused had created forged land documents and entered into agreements with different people for the same property.
Police have so far recorded statements from 16 alleged victims and seized 14 documents as part of the investigation.
Officials said the investigation revealed that a total of 35 people were allegedly cheated of Rs 11.85 crore.
According to the police, the investigation also revealed that there were civil and criminal cases previously registered against the accused.
The police are investigating the alleged land transactions and the role of the accused in the case.
Gaikwad and Malegaonkar are currently in police remand, while Pawde has been sent to judicial custody until September 28, officials said, the news agency reported.
The investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, in an another incident, last week, a woman was arrested in Thane district for allegedly cheating home buyers, tenants and property owners of more than Rs 1.36 crore by promising high returns on real estate investments and offering rental agreements, a police had official earlier said.
Woman allegedly lured victims with promises of high returns
According to police, she allegedly approached several people and sought large lump-sum deposits, claiming that the money would be invested in ongoing construction projects in Naigaon and Palghar.
"Between July 1, 2024 and August 28 this year, she lured victims by soliciting large lump-sum amounts under the guise of heavy deposits. She promised to invest these funds into her ongoing construction sites in Naigaon and Palghar while securing rented accommodation for the investors," the official had said.
(with PTI inputs)
