Former ADC Kuldeep Singh Arrested in Land Scam Involving 91.75 Acres in Pathankot

Pathankot, November 13 (Daily Kiran) : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Kuldeep Singh, the former Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pathankot, in connection with a significant land scam. Singh is accused of illegally transferring 91.75 acres of communal land, known as ‘Shamlat,’ in Bhatiyan village, which falls under the Gol Gram Panchayat in Pathankot district. This land transfer allegedly facilitated illegal mining activities in the border district.

This arrest marks a pivotal moment in an ongoing money laundering investigation. The inquiry stems from a case involving the transfer of 734 kanals and one marla of communal land to private individuals. The incident dates back to February 27, 2023, when Singh was serving as the District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO) and held additional responsibilities as ADC (Development). It is alleged that he issued orders favoring private parties in a pending land dispute just one day before his retirement from government service.

Following this, the State Vigilance Bureau filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Singh and several other accused, citing significant irregularities in the transfer of the valuable land. This land, situated near the Ravi River and adjacent to the international border with Pakistan, is believed to contain abundant sand and other minerals.

The ED initiated its money laundering investigation based on the FIR from the Vigilance Bureau. The scope of the inquiry later expanded to include the illegal mining and transportation of sand and riverbed materials from the disputed land.

In July 2026, the ED conducted raids at 16 locations linked to this case, seizing ₹1.75 crore in cash and freezing bank accounts totaling approximately ₹91.34 lakh. Additionally, crucial documents related to illegal mining activities were recovered during these operations, which included sites associated with stone-crushing firms such as ‘Shri Sai Stone Crusher and Screener’ and ‘Shiv Shankar Stone Crusher,’ along with related entities and personnel.

The investigation has also focused on financial transactions between mining operators and individuals involved in the land transfer. A recent report revealed that a retired official’s wife received a total of ₹20.70 lakh from accounts connected to a stone-crushing firm.

This case continues to unfold as authorities delve deeper into the complexities of the land scam and its implications for local governance.