Jharkhand News: ACB Raids Six Locations Linked to Nexgen Owner Vinay Singh in Land Scam Case

Ranchi, September 28, 2025: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Sunday launched extensive raids at six locations connected to Vinay Kumar Singh, owner of Nexgen Automobiles and a close associate of jailed IAS officer Vinay Choubey. The searches began early in the morning at Singh’s residence, automobile showroom, and other premises.

ACB Raids in Hazaribagh Land Scam Case

According to officials, the action is linked to an ongoing investigation into illegal land mutations in Hazaribagh district. The raids follow Singh’s arrest on September 25, when he was taken into custody by ACB in connection with fraudulent settlement of government and forest land.

The case has been registered at Hazaribagh police station under Case No. 11/25, highlighting allegations of a criminal conspiracy involving government officials. Singh is accused of orchestrating the illegal transfer of non-transferable plots, including classified forest land, in violation of legal provisions.

Illegal Land Mutation Cancelled in 2013

The disputed land transaction dates back to 2013, when the Hazaribagh district administration cancelled the illegal mutations of five plots. The Revenue and Land Reforms Department of the Jharkhand government upheld the cancellation in the same year.

An earlier letter from the Hazaribagh East Forest Division, dated December 5, 2012, had clearly stated that any non-forestry activity or encroachment on notified forest land violates the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. The letter also referenced the Supreme Court’s ruling in the T. Godavarman vs Union of India case (December 12, 1996), which mandated prior approval from the central government for non-forestry use of forest-classified land.

Fraudulent Transfer to Vinay Singh and Wife

Investigations by the ACB revealed that land classified as “gair majrua khas jungle” (deemed forest land) in Hazaribagh district was illegally transferred in the names of Vinay Kumar Singh and his wife, Snigdha Singh. This land falls under the protected forest category as per directives of both the Supreme Court and the High Court.

The alleged fraudulent settlement occurred during the tenure of Vinay Choubey as Deputy Commissioner of Hazaribagh. Preliminary findings indicate Singh’s active involvement in the illegal distribution of government land worth crores of rupees, leading to his recent arrest and today’s raids.