Harda Mandi Scandal: Former Minister’s Son Masterminds Land Fraud, Rakes in Lakhs via Fake Petrol Pump Deal—TM Exclusive Report

Bhopal- In Harda, Sandeep Patel, son of BJP leader and former minister Kamal Patel, along with officials of the Harda Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), has executed a major land scam. The Mooknayak’s investigation has revealed that the Mandi land was fraudulently sub-leased to a petrol pump company.

Notably, the Madhya Pradesh Agricultural Produce Market Act, 1972, does not permit such land to be sub-leased. Despite this, Sandeep Patel and the Mandi Committee held a meeting and passed a fake proposal. Based on this proposal, a fake noting was prepared, making the sub-lease appear legitimate.

According to the investigation, a noting was created without amending the Act, authorizing Sandeep Patel to enter into an agreement with the petrol pump company. This clearly indicates that the Mandi Committee and Sandeep Patel, son of former minister Kamal Patel, fabricated false documents to execute this scam.

There are suspicions of collusion between Mandi officials and the petrol pump company. Additionally, Sandeep Patel entered into an agreement with the petrol pump company for a monthly rent of ₹23,500, which he continues to receive. This revelation comes from documents obtained under the RTI Act, 2005. The Mooknayak’s special report delves into every aspect of the 'Harda Mandi Scandal.'

Background of the Scam

In 2005, the Mandi Committee leased a portion of its land to Sandeep Patel, son of the former minister. As per the lease terms, the land was to be utilized within two years, and sub-leasing was prohibited. However, by 2009, no work had commenced on the land.

Despite the violation of rules, due to political influence, the lease was neither revoked nor any action taken. It is worth noting that Kamal Patel was a BJP MLA from 2003 to 2013 and holds significant influence in the Harda region.

The Sub-Lease Game

In 2010, Sandeep Patel wrote to the Mandi Committee seeking permission to sub-lease the land for setting up a petrol pump. Subsequently, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) also wrote to the Mandi Secretary demanding the land. This sequence of events clearly indicates collusion between the Mandi Committee, Sandeep Patel, and the petrol pump company.

In 2010, the Mandi Committee sent a proposal to the Madhya Pradesh State Agricultural Marketing (Mandi) Board, Bhopal, seeking an amendment to Clause 8 of the agreement between the Mandi Committee and Sandeep Patel under the Madhya Pradesh Agricultural Produce Market Act, 1972, to facilitate sub-leasing.

When the Board did not grant approval, the then Mandi Secretary, Sanjeev Shrivastava, prepared a fake noting, claiming that the Mandi Committee had unanimously decided to annul Clause 8 during a meeting. However, this was beyond the Mandi Committee’s jurisdiction.

On August 2, 2010, by showing an amendment to Clause 8 of the agreement with Sandeep Patel, the provision for sub-leasing the land was enforced. The clause explicitly stated that Sandeep could not sub-lease the land. However, based on the fake noting, an agreement was signed on February 11, 2011, between Sandeep Patel and HPCL.

Under this agreement, Sandeep Patel was to receive a monthly rent of ₹23,500 from September 1, 2010, to July 31, 2036. This agreement proves that land leased for service purposes was used for commercial gains by Sandeep.

Using Mandi Committee land for commercial purposes instead of service activities is a violation of rules. Sandeep Patel not only bypassed the original lease terms by setting up a petrol pump but also raised questions about the Mandi Committee’s role. All this was possible due to the influence of his father, Kamal Patel, a prominent leader in the region.

The Web of Fraud by the Former Minister’s Son

In 2008 (and even before), a case of attempted murder was registered against Sandeep Patel, making it impossible for him to obtain the necessary character certificate and No Objection Certificate (NOC) required to set up a petrol pump.

As per rules, approval from the Superintendent of Police and District Collector was mandatory, which he could not obtain. Therefore, Sandeep conspired with petrol pump officials to sub-lease the land to HPCL and collect monthly rent. Sandeep leveraged his father’s influence to execute this scam.

Sandeep Patel colluded with the Mandi Committee and the petrol pump company to prepare fake notings and documents. This case clearly demonstrates the misuse of power and influence, where rules and laws were disregarded for personal gain.

The Rent Discrepancy

The annual rent for the land leased to Sandeep Patel, as determined by the Agricultural Produce Market Committee, was ₹8,778. However, Sandeep Patel entered into an agreement with HPCL, securing a monthly rent of ₹23,500 for the petrol pump.

The agreement also included a clause for a 5% increase in rent every five years, indicating that Sandeep earned significantly more than the Mandi Committee’s stipulated rent.

No Amendment in the Gazette

The Madhya Pradesh Agricultural Produce Market Act, 1972, was last amended on May 25, 2009, and published in the Gazette. Section 13(2) clearly states that land leased cannot be sub-leased.

Prior to this, the Gazette of October 14, 2005, under Section 12(6), explicitly prohibited sub-leasing of leased land. Additionally, Section 15(2) stipulated that if leased land is not utilized within two years, the Mandi Committee has the right to reclaim it. Despite this, Sandeep Patel sub-leased the land and did not use it, violating the rules.

Arun Kumar Vishwakarma (IAS), Additional Director of the Madhya Pradesh State Agricultural Marketing (Mandi) Board, Bhopal, clarified in a conversation with The Mooknayak that no amendments were made to the Madhya Pradesh Agricultural Produce Market Act, 1972, after May 25, 2009.

He outrightly denied any amendments in 2010, stating that if any amendments were made, they would have been published in the Gazette. (A few days after this conversation, Arun Vishwakarma was transferred to the post of Raisen Collector)

The Mooknayak’s representative spoke to Harda District Collector Aditya Singh (IAS) regarding this matter. The Collector stated that he was unaware of the issue, but now that it has come to his attention, he will initiate an investigation. He also assured that if the allegations are found to be true, appropriate action will be taken as per the rules.

Note: The Mooknayak possesses verified documents obtained under the RTI Act, 2005, by applicant Ankit Pachauri, which confirm this scam.