In 2022, nearly 50 bureaucrats invested in 2,023 hectares, roughly five acres of farmland on the outskirts of Bhopal, in a single day. Less than two years later, a government-approved bypass and land use conversion caused the plot’s market value to soar 11 times, from Rs 5.5 million to more than Rs 60 million, according to a report.
According to Dainik Bhaskar newspaper report, Immovable Property Returns (IPRs) filed by IAS officers in Madhya Pradesh have revealed a large-scale land investment in Guradi Ghat village near Kolar area of Bhopal. Nearly 50 IAS and IPS officers from across the country reportedly bought plots there in a single day in April 2022.
According to Dainik Bhaskar’s report, the buyers included several IAS and IPS officers posted in Delhi as well as officials belonging to the Maharashtra, Telangana and Haryana cadres. The sequence of events that followed the purchase has raised eyebrows and raised eyebrows.
Manisha Kadyan, a New Delhi-based assistant professor of economics, took to X, calling it “a classic abuse of position and power.” “Politicians face elections every five years, but bureaucrats enjoy lifetime power and have no real responsibility… Value increased 11 times in two years. Classic abuse of position-power… Joining civil services for national service is the biggest scam sold to India. They serve themselves. The nation pays,” Kadyan posted on X.
Barely 16 months after the purchase, in August 2023, the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved a Rs 3,200-crore western bypass project that passes close to the land purchased by these officials. At the time of purchase, the land was designated as agricultural and ten months after the Madhya Pradesh government approved the bypass, the land was converted into a residential area, the report said.
The timing of these decisions has raised questions because infrastructure projects and land use conversions often lead to sharp increases in property prices. In this case, the lands purportedly purchased at agricultural prices subsequently witnessed a massive jump in market value after the approval of the bypass and diversion clearance.
Following the approval of the bypass and subsequent land use conversion, the value of the land reportedly increased almost 11 times. Even though the land has been reclassified for residential use, no housing society has been developed on the site so far. As per normal procedures, plots must first be allotted or land transferred to a registered society before any residential project can begin.
A single registration document dated April 4, 2022 was used to purchase 2,023 hectares of agricultural land and the transaction involved 50 shareholders who collectively acquired the property, Dainik Bhaskar reported. The land was registered at Rs 5.5 million, although its reported market value at the time was Rs 7.78 million, the Bhopal-based newspaper reported.
According to the report, the investment was described in the Real Estate Report (IPR) as an asset acquired by “like-minded officials”. The records further showed that the 50 shares were linked to 41 individual buyers.
Sixteen months later, on August 31, 2023, the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved the Rs 3,200-crore western bypass project, the proposed alignment of which reportedly passes within 500 meters of the land parcel.
In 2022, these five acres of land were purchased at a price of almost Rs 81.75 per square foot. The rate shot up to about Rs 557 per square foot after the land use diversion in June 2024. As of 2026, the current market rate of land is between Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000 per square foot. Therefore, the market value of the land is estimated to be in the range of Rs 55 million to Rs 65 million.
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