Bollywood Producer of 'Taj Mahal' Arrested in Rs 3.35 Crore Land Fraud Scheme in Kanpur

Further arrests are anticipated as the investigation continues to unfold.

Kanpur (UP):

A Bollywood producer and his associate have been apprehended at a luxury hotel in Prayagraj in connection with a significant land fraud and extortion case, according to a senior police official.

Irshad Alam (50), who co-produced the 2005 film 'Taj Mahal', and his associate Anwar Sheikh, also known as Rehan (30), were taken into custody on Tuesday from Casa De Grande hotel in Prayagraj.

The arrests stem from allegations made by Mohammed Shoeb Khan, a poultry entrepreneur from Civil Lines. Khan reported that Alam, along with Mohammed Uzair Hasan and several unidentified individuals, defrauded him of Rs 3.35 crore by offering to sell government-acquired land in Jajmau.

In his statement, Shoeb explained that Alam showed him the property in Jajmau, and believing the transaction was legitimate, he paid Rs 1.70 crore in two separate payments after a notarized sales agreement was prepared.

When the final sale deed remained unexecuted, Alam allegedly demanded an additional Rs 1.65 crore, which Shoeb paid fearing the loss of his initial investment.

Despite receiving the total amount of Rs 3.35 crore, Alam refused to complete the property transfer. Shoeb later discovered that the land had already been acquired by government authorities.

Additionally, on September 13, Alam, accompanied by Uzair and several associates, allegedly visited Shoeb's establishment at Pared Crossing and threatened to implicate him in false criminal charges if he pursued a refund. They also reportedly attempted to extort an additional Rs 60 lakh from him.

Following the complaint, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime and Headquarters) Vinod Kumar Singh instructed Bekanganj Police to investigate the allegations, register an FIR, and proceed with appropriate action.

Subsequently, a case was filed on Saturday against more than half a dozen accused individuals, including Alam, Uzair, and Anwar Sheikh.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Ashutosh Kumar informed reporters that a police team tracked Alam and Anwar to the Prayagraj hotel, conducted a raid, and detained both suspects.

The accused were transported to Kanpur on Wednesday for questioning and will be presented before the court.

Bekanganj Station House Officer Mohammad Mateen Khan revealed that Alam is already implicated in over 10 criminal cases registered at Jajmau, Chakeri, and Bekanganj police stations, and is also under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The FIR includes multiple serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including dangerous acts with aggravated consequences, causing grievous harm endangering life, wrongful confinement, attempted culpable homicide, assault/criminal force, and fabrication of false evidence, the SHO added.

Additional arrests are expected as the investigation advances, according to another official.