Rajkot: Police have arrested a former talati-cum-minister of Trakuda village in Gondal taluka on charges of large-scale corruption and forgery during his tenure.The accused, Dharmesh Hapaliya, allegedly misused his official position between Jan 16, 2021 and July 31, 2024 to illegally allocate govt land by forging documents and signatures of senior officials. The complaint was filed by Bhavesh Udeshi, the current talati of Trakuda.According to the FIR, Hapaliya forged the signatures of the taluka development officer (TDO) and the circle inspector of the taluka panchayat in Gondal to prepare fake govt documents. These were then used to illegally distribute residential plots in the village, resulting in personal financial gain.The scam came to light after the TDO flagged irregularities in the allotment of free plots in the Navagam Tal area of Trakuda village. Official records revealed that a new settlement had been planned in 2008 on Survey No. 91 to provide 100-square-yard plots for residential use. However, no approved layout plan was in place.Despite this, Hapaliya allegedly allocated 44 residential plots covering 6,260 sq m, valued at around Rs 70 lakh, without any official approval or public auction. He is also accused of issuing fake allotment orders, forging seals and certificates, and collecting money from beneficiaries in exchange for unauthorized plots.Police have booked Hapaliya under IPC Sections 467, 468, and 471 related to forgery, as well as Sections 7(A), 13(1)(A), and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. A detailed investigation is currently underway.
