The Supreme Court rejected the bail plea of former IPS officer Pradeep Sharma in an illegal land allotment case. Sharma, who was the collector of Kutch district, is accused of misusing his position to allot government land illegally for personal benefit. He faces charges of corruption and criminal breach of trust. A case was filed against him in 2023.
New Delhi: Former IPS officer Pradeep Sharma encountered a order from the Supreme Court, which rejected his bail plea in the 2023 illegal land allotment case in Bhuj, Kutch.
The Court dismissed the petition, choosing not to interfere with the Gujarat High Court’s previous ruling, which had also denied his bail last year.
A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta stated that they found no valid reason to alter the High Court’s order, leading to the dismissal of Sharma’s appeal.
This petition sought to challenge the Gujarat High Court’s March 2023 decision that denied him regular bail.
The High Court had shown reluctance to grant relief to Sharma, noting that multiple FIRs had been filed against him for similar offenses during his tenure in a prominent government role.
As the former collector of Kutch district, Sharma faces accusations of corruption and criminal breach of trust for allegedly allotting government land illegally for personal gain.
An FIR was registered against him in 2023 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 409, 217, 120B, and 114, as well as Section 7(C) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The case is currently being investigated by the CID Crime Border Zone.
Also Read: SC Seeks Gujarat Government’s Response on Bail Plea of Retired IAS Officer Pradeep Sharma
Illegal land allotment refers to the unauthorized or unlawful allocation of land, often involving corruption, violation of land laws, or bypassing due process. The legal provisions governing land allotment vary depending on the country and jurisdiction.
Below are key aspects and legal provisions related to illegal land allotment in India:
1. Legal Framework Governing Land Allotment in India
- The Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (now replaced by The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013)
- The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) – Sections related to forgery, fraud, and criminal conspiracy
- The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 – For cases involving bribery and misuse of power
- State-Specific Land Laws – Each state has its own land revenue and allotment laws
Also Read: Madras HC Rejects Mediation for Ex-T.N. DGP Rajesh Das and IAS Officer Beela Venkatesan
2. Key Provisions Against Illegal Land Allotment
- Fraudulent Transactions (IPC Sections 420, 467, 468, 471) – If land is allotted using forged documents
- Misuse of Authority (Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988) – Public officials involved in illegal allotment can face prosecution
- Benami Transactions (Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988) – If land is allotted in someone else’s name to hide ownership
- Violation of Land Use Rules (Master Plan Violations) – Allotment against zoning regulations may be deemed illegal
- Encroachment (Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971) – If public land is illegally allotted or occupied
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