The Beed district collector’s office has uncovered a multi-crore scam involving fabricated backdated orders, forged files, and manipulated documents to secure inflated compensation for a national highway land acquisition project. Preliminary inquiries suggest a misappropriation of Rs73 crore, with the figure likely to rise, according to a panel formed by the collector.
Collector Vivek Johnson told TOI, “Prima facie, there appears to be a criminal conspiracy and a racket that siphoned public funds.”
A press release from the collector’s office revealed that 154 fabricated orders were issued between March 1 and April 17, 2025, using the name, designation, and signature of the then-district collector. These orders, which pertained to arbitration cases, were received by the Jayakwadi Project Land Acquisition Office and the sub-divisional officer, Beed, after delays of one to five months.
“These 154 cases involved fabricated orders totaling Rs241.62 crore in enhanced compensation. Around Rs73 crore was actually received and disbursed, indicating prima facie misappropriation,” the release noted. Additionally, 40 more arbitration orders were being conspired for backdating in November 2025.
The inquiry found that no official records were maintained, and suspiciously, 50 orders were issued on a single day—April 17, 2025—without signatures in the daily register confirming the presence of parties.
Following the investigation, Beed police, under SDO Satish Dhumal, arrested Sanjay Narayan Hange (54), assistant revenue officer, Shaikh Azhar Shaikh Babu (43), a contractual staffer, and Trymbak Pingale (65), a retired contractual employee. Seven others, including another revenue officer, a highway official, and lawyers, were also booked. All accused allegedly forged documents, manipulated compensation awards, and siphoned public funds.
Superintendent of Police Navneet Kanwat confirmed a special investigation team (SIT) has been formed. Additional SP Sachin Pandkar said, “Forged signatures have been identified. The scam may be bigger, and more arrests are expected. Digital evidence is being examined.”
The scandal came to light when Vivek Johnson, along with the additional district collector, tehsildar, and deputy collector (land acquisition), inspected files at the Jayakwadi project land acquisition office and noticed discrepancies. Officials allegedly colluded to fabricate backdated orders to show landowners entitled to higher compensation.
Between April 24 and November 15, 2025, officials from multiple offices conspired to manipulate arbitration orders, forge signatures, and create fraudulent files, presenting them as authentic to secure inflated payments.
