Pune: Dubai Woman’s Land in Wagholi Illegally Sold Using Forged Documents, Police Inspector Among 4 Accused
Wagholi, 17th May 2025: A major land fraud has come to light in Wagholi, Pune, involving a former Senior Police Inspector from Chandannagar Police Station and his brother-in-law. The accused, along with two others, allegedly used forged documents to illegally transfer ownership of a 10-acre plot belonging to a Dubai-based woman.
The Chandannagar Police have arrested Anand Lalasaheb Bhagat, a resident of Wadegaon in Haveli taluka, in connection with the case. Bhagat was produced in court and remanded to police custody until 20th May. The other accused include Shailesh Sadashiv Thombre, brother-in-law of former inspector Rajendra Savarsiddh Landge, and Archana Patekar from Islampur, Sangli.
According to police, the conspiracy took place between 2022 and May 2023, targeting land located in Survey No. 1276, Wagholi. Patekar was allegedly presented as the legitimate owner of the plot, using forged Aadhaar and PAN cards. These fake documents were then used to execute a bogus sale deed at the Haveli Sub-Registrar Office.
The scam was uncovered during a review of older case files at Chandannagar Police Station. The investigation pointed to the involvement of Inspector Landge, his brother-in-law Thombre, and Bhagat. Following these findings, Crime Branch Inspector Swati Khedkar filed a formal complaint against all accused.
During a raid at Bhagat’s residence, police seized several forged documents, including fake sale deeds, consent letters, agreements, and electricity bills. These are now being examined as key evidence.
Public Prosecutor Yogesh Kadam told the court that the accused orchestrated a well-planned conspiracy to defraud the rightful landowner by fabricating multiple documents. The court granted police custody of Bhagat until 20th May to allow for further investigation.
The case is being investigated by Senior Police Inspector Seema Dhakane, in-charge of Chandannagar Police Station.
