Jhargram (West Bengal): In one of the most audacious land scams in Bengal’s recent history, fraudsters allegedly “sold” an entire village — including private homes, farmland, and even government buildings — using forged deed documents and counterfeit inheritance certificates.

The bizarre case, which has rocked the Jungle Mahal region, centres on Bakra village under the Pathra gram panchayat in the Sankrail block of Jhargram district. Investigators say that forged documents were used to transfer nearly 400 acres of land, including property belonging to residents, a school, a panchayat office, and a government-run rural enterprise centre.

Panchayat Office, School, Even Government Land ‘Sold’

The scam reportedly began around April 2024 and spread to neighbouring Manik Jhatiya, Angarnali, and Chunapara villages. Over 500 families may have been affected.

Fraudsters allegedly used fake inheritance certificates bearing the forged signature and seal of Pathra Gram Panchayat Pradhan Dipak Baisnab to transfer properties to unknown individuals and Kolkata-based companies.

“Even two acres of my own land have been sold without my knowledge,” Baisnab told The Wire. “Dozens of inheritance certificates have been issued with my forged signature and the panchayat’s stamp. Using these, land was sold off without the owners’ consent.”

Shockingly, the forged documents even showed the Jhargram Collectorate listed as a “father’s name” on one fake deed.

Villagers Declared ‘Dead’ So Their Land Could Be Sold

The scale of deception is staggering. Several villagers discovered that they had been declared dead on paper to facilitate fraudulent sales.

“My father is alive, but official records show him as dead,” said Indrajit Mahato of Bakra. “Someone used fake certificates to claim inheritance and sell our land.”

Another resident, Chandramohan Mahato, said, “I was declared dead — along with my son. Our land was sold by someone we don’t even know.”

Across Bakra and nearby mouzas, hundreds of families are now discovering that their land and houses were transferred to unknown buyers — many allegedly with political connections.

Key Arrests and Police Investigation

The Sankrail Police have registered FIR 110/25 and arrested three people so far — Sukranjan Mahata, a known land mafia figure, and two others, Nakul Kungar and Sourav Mahata.

They have been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections related to cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. The Jhargram district administration has also set up a special probe team to investigate how forged deeds passed scrutiny at multiple government offices.

How the Scam Worked

Investigators believe the scam relied on fake succession certificates purportedly issued by the Pathra gram panchayat. These were then submitted at the district registry office, which, seeing seemingly valid documents, processed the property transfers.

Jhargram sub-registrar Joyjit Chandra said that the registry office verified the documents presented but did not investigate authenticity beyond surface checks.

“Each transfer had an inheritance certificate signed by the panchayat chief — at least, on paper,” he said. “Only after multiple complaints surfaced did we realise the certificates were forged.”

Block Land and Land Reforms Officer Asit Dolui confirmed that following public outrage, all land transactions in the affected mouzas have been frozen pending further inquiry.

“No one can buy or sell land in these areas now without prior departmental approval,” Dolui said.

“We Were Declared Dead to Steal Our Land”

Locals say the fraud has caused panic and sleepless nights.

“My father was shown as childless, and someone impersonated a relative to grab our land,” said Proloy Mahato.
“Where will we live now?” asked Kholona Mahato, a farmer. “Our names are in the land records, yet on paper, we are dead and our property is gone.”

Even public institutions have been affected. Banka Junior High School and the Karma Tirtha rural centre were among the properties “sold” using fake papers.

Allegations of Official Complicity

Many villagers suspect a nexus between land mafias, officials, and political middlemen.

“This could not have happened without the involvement of government staff,” alleged Dhirendra Nath Mahato, a retired teacher from Bakra. “Registry and land office employees must be investigated.”

Administration Responds

The Jhargram district magistrate has ordered a high-level inquiry, while local police continue to trace the masterminds behind the forgery ring. The state land and land reforms department has also been alerted.

“We will not rest until the rightful owners get their land back,” vowed Arjun Mahato, vice-president of the Sara Bharat Krishak Sabha, which is leading local protests.

Despite arrests and a freeze on land sales, fear persists across Pathra panchayat as residents make daily trips to government offices to confirm whether their lands still belong to them.

Key Facts: The Jhargram Land Deed Scam

  • Nearly 400 acres of land sold using forged inheritance certificates
  • At least 500 families affected across four villages
  • Government buildings and schools included in fake transfers
  • Three arrests so far under cheating and forgery charges
  • All land transactions in affected mouzas now frozen