The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered four separate cases on allegations that huge losses to the exchequer was caused by leasing out prime value land under the Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI) on forged documents. Searches have been carried out at 40 locations.
Two separate cases involve 22 accused persons, including officials of the Custodian of Enemy Property department. As alleged, 54-hectares of commercial land located in Uttar Pradesh’s Sitapur, Barabanki and Lucknow were leased out at nominal rates in favour of the lessees through manipulation.
One case relates to some CEPI officials posted in Lucknow and Delhi conspiring with the beneficiaries and leasing out large tracts of prime high value land; forging and manipulating lease agreements in their favour; granting lease without any agreement; regularising occupation without the government’s approval; waiving lease rental arrears; and doing unauthorised out-of-court settlements.
