BHOPAL- A land transaction involving nearly 50 senior IAS and IPS officers has sparked controversy in Madhya Pradesh after the value of the purchased property reportedly rose sharply following the approval of a major infrastructure project nearby.
According to a report first published by Dainik Bhaskar, the agents jointly purchased 2,023 hectares of agricultural land at Guradi Ghat village in Kolar area of Bhopal on April 4, 2022. The land, measuring around five acres, was reportedly acquired through a single recorded transaction for an approximate value of Rs 5.5 million, while the official market valuation at that time was Rs 7.78 million. rupees.
Reports indicate that the buyers included Madhya Pradesh cadre officials as well as officials associated with Maharashtra, Telangana, Haryana and central posts in Delhi. In its IPR disclosures, the investment was allegedly described as a collective purchase by “like-minded officials.”
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The controversy intensified after the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved the Rs 3,200-crore Western Bhopal Bypass project in August 2023, about 16 months after the land was purchased. The proposed road alignment reportedly passes almost 500 meters from the property.
Subsequently, in June 2024, the land use category of the parcel was changed from agricultural to residential. Following the rezoning and infrastructure approval, local property prices in the surrounding area reportedly saw a sharp increase.
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According to various reports, land prices which were earlier estimated at around ₹82 per sq ft increased to approximately ₹557 per sq ft after land use conversion and are now estimated between ₹2,500 and ₹3,000 per sq ft. As per current market estimates, the current value of the property is projected to be between Rs 55 million and Rs 65 million.
The sequence of the land purchase, project approval and subsequent rezoning has led to accusations of potential conflict of interest and comparisons to “insider trading” in real estate transactions. The issue has attracted a lot of attention on social media platforms and sparked a public debate about ethical standards in bureaucratic investments.
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Businessman Vikas Saraswat and former Jammu and Kashmir CEO Shesh Paul Vaid are among those who have publicly demanded a probe into the matter.
As of May 11, 2026, the Madhya Pradesh government had not issued an official statement on the allegations nor announced any formal investigation.
The officers named in the reports have not yet issued any public response. However, some supporters have argued that the purchase was a legal investment revealed through official records and that infrastructure development often leads to an appreciation in the value of surrounding lands.
The issue continues to attract national attention following extensive media coverage and online debates over bureaucratic accountability and land deals tied to government infrastructure projects.