By Sulagna Halder
Ferozepur, July 1, 2025:
The illegal sale of a 15 acre Indian Air Force airstrip in Ferozepur, Punjab land used in the 1962, 1965, and 1971 wars has exposed a shocking fraud case. Following the Punjab and Haryana High Court's directive to investigate the matter after revealing documents that were forged in 1997, a formal complaint has been filed.
The High Court warned that the lapse "could compromise national security" and censured the Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner. It also directed the Chief Director of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau to carry out an investigation within four weeks.
The land next to the cantonment, called Jahaz Ground, was registered to private individuals Dara Singh, Mukhtiar Singh, Jagir Singh, Surjit Kaur, and Manjit Kaur twenty eight years ago. After Madan Mohan Lal, the original owner, passed away in 1991, it was discovered that revenue records had been falsified. Despite having no legal authority, a power of attorney granted in 1997 was used to transfer title in 2001. The scam had been flagged by the Army on multiple occasions. Officials appealed to the Governor after the commandant of Halwara Air Force Station failed to respond to letters sent in 2021. However, it wasn't until the High Court's recent intervention that the land was returned to the defense.
Usha Ansal and her son Naveen Chand, both from Dumni Wala village, are currently under investigation by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau for allegedly planning the sale in cooperation with revenue authorities. Sections 419, 420, 465, 467, 471, and 120B of the IPC have been used to register the case. Because of its strategic importance close to the India-Pakistan border, the land in question is still under Army control and is administratively overseen by Halwara Air Force Station. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar of the High Court emphasized that such carelessness could "endanger the lives of citizens and greatly compromise national security" and called the dishonesty of revenue officials "ineffable and inexcusable." By July 3rd, the court has ordered a final report.
Citing the federal breach as "serious," Army officials have called for a CBI investigation and called for action against complicit civil servants. The ongoing controversy calls into question accountability and oversight in local revenue administrations and exposes weaknesses in defending defense land. The government must make sure that the integrity of military property safeguards national interests now that the legal process is under way.
