Jharkhand CID arrests prime accused in Bokaro forest land scam from Patna

The Jharkhand CID has arrested the alleged mastermind of the multi-crore Tetulia forest land scam, Shailesh Singh, from Patna, officials said.

Mr. Singh (59), a resident of Patna, was apprehended in connection with the alleged illegal acquisition and sale of government forest land in Bokaro district, the CID said in a statement on Wednesday (July 8).

"He has been arrested in Patna. The CID is further investigating the case and will bring the accused to Jharkhand on transit remand," it said.

Singh had been evading arrest for several months, and had unsuccessfully sought anticipatory bail from both the Jharkhand High Court and the Supreme Court, officials said.

"Considering the gravity of the case, both courts rejected his anticipatory bail pleas. Following the Supreme Court's refusal to grant relief, he continued to evade the police, while search teams were looking for him," a CID official said.

The case pertains to the alleged fraudulent acquisition, fabrication of land records and sale of prime government forest land worth several crores of rupees in Tetulia area of Bokaro.

A private limited company was allegedly floated to illegally acquire around 103 acres of land belonging to the Forest and Revenue departments, the officials said.

Investigators said the company had a declared capital of only ₹2 lakh at the time of its incorporation on February 1, 2021, but subsequently purchased land worth several crores.

Earlier, the CID had arrested Izhar Hussain and Akhtar Hussain, who allegedly used forged documents to grab the land. Two directors of a construction company have also been apprehended.

The case originated from a complaint lodged by the Forest Department in March 2024, following which the DGP transferred the investigation to the CID.