Kanpur: 14 Arrested, Including Journalists, for Land Grab Worth ₹1,000 Crores

In Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, police have arrested 14 individuals, including a TV journalist, on charges of illegally seizing government land valued at over ₹1,000 crores. The arrests led to commotion at the police station, prompting the police to issue a press note.

Journalist Avnish Dixit and others were arrested on Sunday following complaints by revenue officials and Samuel Gurudev Singh, the land’s lessee, according to Kanpur Police. Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chandra confirmed that an FIR has been registered at Kotwali police station, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accused.

The charges include criminal conspiracy (Section 61(2)), use of criminal force on a woman with intent to injure her dignity (Section 74), wrongful taking hostage (Section 127(2)), riot (Section 191(2)), extortion (Section 308(5)), robbery (Section 310(2)), mischief causing damage (Section 324(4)), forcible entry into a house (Section 329(4)), criminal intimidation (Section 351(2)), intentionally causing insult (Section 352), and violations under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

Journalist Avnish Dixit is set to appear in court today. District Magistrate (DM) Rakesh Kumar Singh stated that Dixit and approximately three dozen others allegedly encroached on around 7,500 square meters of government land in the upscale Civil Lines area, valued at over ₹1,000 crores.

DM Singh explained that Dixit and his associates reportedly broke the locks and replaced them with their own. An investigation by the revenue team, led by the Additional DM, confirmed the land as government-owned (Najul) with an expired lease. The land was originally leased in 1884 for 99 years, renewed for an additional 25 years, and has since expired. The action was taken in response to charges of illegal occupation.