To fraudulently create a village and ell it, they
• Forged documents to seek compensation for land which, they claimed, had been submerged
• Sought the help of accomplice in the irrigation department to fabricate letters
• Ensured that the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) approved their claim
• With the SDM's order in hand, went about forging khatauni (land possession documents) in their family members' favour. Ownership of land worth
Rs 100 crore was transferred
• Roped in the assistant registrar in the revenue department to verify these documents
• Removed all earlier records of the land and replaced them with the forged khatauni
• Fudged papers kept in the district record room, adding a fictitious village to the crucial register: R-57
• Were reportedly let off by higher officials
• Managed to get the name of the village published in the state gazette
• Struck a deal to sell timber worth Rs 17 crore.
Ran out of luck at this stage, as racket was unearthed and they were arrested.
Note: Drawn from first information reports and the Bijnor district magistrate's report submitted in the local court