Patwari demands plot for himself and MLA:Investigation exposes systemic complicity in illegal colonies; agents and builders caught on Bhaskar’s hidden camera selling unauthorised land

You just get the registry done. I’ll manage mutation and land diversion myself. You’ll make a profit, only then will you feel good. We’ll work together. Just give me one plot from your colony and get it developed. These words were spoken without hesitation by Tarun Srivastava, a Patwari posted in the Neelbad area of Bhopal. His candid offer—caught on Bhaskar’s hidden camera—lays bare the deep-rooted corruption allegedly thriving within the system meant to regulate land use. In a separate conversation, Bhawar Singh Solanki, a patwari from Ratibad, allegedly told a Dainik Bhaskar reporter posing as a real estate investor: “Give me one farmhouse, and give a plot to the MLA.” While the Bhopal district administration claims it is gearing up to take strict action against illegal colonisers, patwaris—the very officials responsible for land records—appear to be facilitating the same unauthorised colonies the administration intends to demolish. Investigations suggest a deep-rooted nexus of brokers, builders, and patwaris is rapidly converting thousands of acres of agricultural land around the state capital into illegal settlements. The Bhaskar team spent a week monitoring agents dealing in illegal colonies along Vidisha Road in Ratibad. They spoke to four agents and their associated builders, all of whom admitted on hidden camera that while NOCs would not be issued, registration and land diversion could be arranged. Subsequent meetings with the patwaris revealed how the entire system could be manipulated to enable these illegal operations. “No NOC will be available,” they said bluntly. “But registry, mutation, and diversion will be done.” When reporters later met patwaris as dummy real estate developers, the officials allegedly explained in detail how the entire “system” could be managed. Illegal colonies like a ‘vegetable market’ on Bhopal–Vidisha road When the investigation team set out from Bhopal towards Vidisha Road, posing as ordinary buyers, the scale of the illegal activity became evident. Every 100 to 200 metres, boards advertising colonies with attractive names were visible. Below these boards stood agents actively scouting for customers. Within a 10-kilometre stretch, hundreds of such agents were found, all operating with the same formula—false promises and fake dreams. None of these colonies had NOCs or approvals from the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department. Yet, buyers were assured of registry, mutation, and land diversion. The first interaction was with Shubham Mali, a broker selling plots in an illegal colony named Vaishno Dham Phase-2. Reporter: “I’m from Bhopal. I want to buy a residential plot.” Shubham: “You’ll get it, sir. We have plots from 675 to 1125 square feet. The rate is ₹1,500 per square foot.” Shubham took the reporter inside the colony, where some houses had already been constructed and cement-concrete (CC) roads laid. Pointing to a plot, he said, “Take this one. You’ll get 10 feet extra space and a 10×12 feet car parking free.” On closer inspection, the so-called “free parking” turned out to be a 60-feet-wide road. Reporter: “This is a full road. How is this parking?” Shubham (without hesitation): “That’s the special thing. This is the old Vidisha Road. It’s cut in government maps, but since a bypass has been built ahead, this road will never be constructed. We’ve developed it and used it as parking. Why would the government waste money on a double road?” ‘Bribe the Sarpanch and electricity officials, everything gets done’ Shubham then took the reporter to another colony, Vaishno Dham Phase-1. He claimed most plots were already sold. When asked about legality, Shubham called the colony owner, Deepak Mathil, who invited the reporter to his office in Bhanpur. There, Deepak allegedly made startling admissions. He further admitted that a 60-feet government road reserved for public use had been developed as internal colony parking. Deepak: “It’s government land meant for a road, so we developed it for our use. Whether the road is built in future or not, we’ve already made it usable.” “People won’t buy if we sell at ₹4,000 with permissions” When asked about risks, Deepak dismissed concerns. Deepak: “There’s no real risk. Some developers spoiled the image by selling one plot four times or running away without development. But our work is clean. If we take permissions and sell at Rs 4,000 per square foot, people won’t buy. They’ll ask, ‘What will we do here?’” Another colony, same story At another illegal colony, agent Saurabh Meena offered plots at Rs 1,000 per square foot. Saurabh: “Plots are 600–700 square feet. Electricity and water will be arranged.” Builder Gaurav Meena later confirmed: Gaurav: “Registry, mutation, and diversion are all there. No NOC. We’ll give temporary electricity and borewell water.” “Patwaris and police have bought for investment” In Ratibad’s Orcha Dham Colony, broker Shubham Marg claimed that patwaris and police personnel themselves had invested. Shubham: “Many people have bought plots here. A patwari madam, police personnel—many have bought for investment.” The Patwari link: Managing the ‘system’ Patwaris play a critical role because agricultural land cannot be converted without their involvement. Bhaskar reporters met Neelbad patwari Tarun Srivastava posing as developers. First meeting: “NOC won’t come, diversion will” Reporter: “We’re planning a colony. What are the rates here?”
Tarun: “Around ₹1,500. Give me the khasra number; I’ll check.” Reporter: “Will you handle diversion and NOC?”
Tarun: “NOC won’t come here. We’ll get diversion done.” Second meeting: “Work through proper channels” Reporter: “Will there be any problem from your level?”
Tarun: “No problem at our level. Get the registry done first, we’ll manage everything else. If you work through proper channels, there won’t be issues.” Third meeting: “Give me one plot” In the third meeting, Tarun allegedly made his demand clear. Tarun: “You need to work with us long-term. People have built a temple on three acres of government land and cut plots on both sides. I told them—if you’ve done this, cut one plot for me as well.” When the reporter offered a plot in exchange for “work,” Tarun allegedly agreed. “Give the MLA a plot”: Ratibad Patwari’s claim Ratibad Patwari Bhawar Singh Solanki allegedly suggested a bigger arrangement. Bhawar Singh: “Manage the locals. Keep the MLA happy. Focus more on farmhouses. Senior officers will buy 5,000–10,000 square feet farmhouses. I’ll get diversion and mutation done. NOC and TCP won’t come here; it’s a catchment area. I’ll pick one farmhouse for myself.” Third meeting: Get me a plot too
In this meeting outside Neelbad School, Tarun Srivastava expressed his intention. He told the reporter that he would get everything else done if he was given a plot. Read the conversation… Tarun: You have to work with us further. Find out if the land has been divided or not. Don’t say later that Patwari ji, you got me into trouble. Reporter: How will the colony layout be made? Tarun: Oh, we’ll get the colony layout made by an online person for 5 or 10 thousand rupees. We spend 15 to 20 thousand to do the complete planning, and only then do we deal with the land. Reporter: Okay, I trust you. Tarun: We will finalize after seeing everything. Currently, some people have built a temple on 3 acres of government land and cut plots on both sides. I asked the people of the colony, “What have you done?” (laughing).. If you’ve done it, then cut a plot for me too. They said that an officer from your revenue department has already taken a plot. Still, they said they would do something for me. Tarun said that you will only like it if you make a profit. We will also work with you. The reporter offered, “You work – we will also give you a plot,” and Tarun agreed. Administration responds When confronted, Bhopal Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh said: “We have registered FIRs against 102 colonies. With police support, we will soon demolish these illegal colonies and take strict legal action.” Victims speak: “The middle class was cheated” The most tragic aspect of this racket is the plight of thousands of families who invested their life savings. Case 1: 130 Buyers cheated in Berasia Around 130 people, including Asha Pathak and Namdev Sahu, bought plots in Karariya after seeing hoardings. Later, they discovered the land belonged to someone else. Case 2: Dreams sold through brochures Sunil Sharma from UB City, Kolar Road, said, “The builder promised gardens, a clubhouse, and CC roads. Nothing was delivered. They even took ₹80,000 as maintenance. I’m middle class—I can’t build another house.” Case 3: Waterlogging and blocked roads Mukesh Bhargava from Rhythm Park on Bhojpur Road said, “The builder sold us plots fraudulently. The access road belonged to someone else, who won the case in court. Now the road is blocked.” A system under question The investigation highlights not just rogue builders, but an alleged systemic failure involving brokers, revenue officials, and political patronage. While the administration promises action, the question remains—will accountability reach those within the system who allegedly enabled the scam? For now, thousands of families continue to live with uncertainty, while illegal colonies keep mushrooming around Bhopal, one plot at a time.