Faridabad: A major compensation scam has surfaced during the construction of the Delhi–Mumbai Link Expressway, where officials allegedly inflated the number of trees slated for removal from 93 to 768 and fraudulently siphoned off ₹15.36 lakh as compensation. Acting on a complaint filed by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), the Central Police Station, Faridabad, has registered an FIR against five individuals, including two revenue patwaris, a forest department clerk, an inspector, and a farmer.
Fake Evaluation Report Prepared Through Collusion
According to the police, the accused acted in collusion to prepare a forged tree valuation report and illegally claimed compensation during the period 2021–22. The investigation into the matter continued for nearly three years at multiple administrative levels before the police finally registered the case on Thursday evening under sections related to cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
How the Scam Unfolded
The Delhi–Mumbai Expressway project began in 2021, including the widening of service lanes along the route. In Faridabad, approximately 93 trees located near a farmer’s land were identified for removal. As per procedure, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) sought an official valuation from the Forest Department to compensate the landowner.
The Forest Department conducted a proper assessment and forwarded a report listing 93 trees to the District Revenue Department. However, during processing, the original file was allegedly removed and replaced with a forged document.
93 Trees Shown as 768, DFO’s Signature Forged
Police investigations revealed that forest clerk Umar Mohammad, revenue patwaris Vijender and Subhash, inspector Hemraj, and farmer Ravindra Singhal conspired to fabricate a new valuation report showing 768 trees instead of 93. The forged report carried a fake signature of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) and was submitted to the Revenue Department, leading to the illegal release of ₹15.36 lakh as compensation.
Forgery Detected During Verification
Officials stated that when the Forest Department later compared the genuine valuation report with the one submitted for compensation, the DFO’s signatures did not match. This raised serious red flags. The Forest Department formally alerted the District Revenue Officer on 8 April 2025, stating that such a fraudulent document could not have been issued without internal collusion.
Legal Battle and Probe
When the matter came to light, the farmer who received the compensation approached the High Court, but the Forest Department successfully defended its position, leading to dismissal of the petition. Subsequently, the case was taken up by the District Collector, who ordered a detailed probe by the DCP (Central).
The police’s preliminary investigation confirmed deliberate manipulation of official records and misuse of authority by government staff.
Police Investigation Ongoing
Central Police Station SHO Randhir Singh confirmed that an FIR has been registered and the investigation is underway. Further arrests and departmental action are likely as the probe progresses.
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