The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated an investigation against IAS Abhishek Prakash over allegations of amassing benami properties and misusing government land. The probe was ordered following a complaint by BJP leader Mahesh Pandey, who accused the officer of facilitating illegal land acquisition during his tenure as District Magistrate (DM) of Bareilly from July 31, 2012, to June 8, 2014, under the Samajwadi Party government.
Allegations of a Massive Land Scam
One of the most controversial allegations revolves around the International City Project, a large township being developed on 600 acres of government land in Narialwal, reportedly worth ₹8,000 crore. According to the complaint, the project is linked to Raju Khandelwal, a builder said to be close to Abhishek Prakash.
Mahesh Pandey claims that the IAS officer used his administrative influence to facilitate the illegal occupation of government land for the township project. Additionally, he has accused Abhishek Prakash of investing his alleged illegal earnings in benami properties across multiple locations, including Aonla, Sadar, and Faridpur tehsils of Bareilly, through builders such as Raju Khandelwal, Vipin Agrawal, and Rajesh Gupta.
Destruction of Water Bodies and Regulatory Failures
The complaint also highlights the destruction of 113 ponds as part of the township’s construction. Mahesh Pandey asserts that despite complaints to the Bareilly Development Authority (BDA), the project continued unchecked. While the BDA initially revoked the project’s approval, construction reportedly proceeded, with luxury homes selling for crores. Pandey has also accused BDA officials of negligence and failing to take action against the illegal development.
Alleged Land Acquisitions in Multiple Districts
Beyond Bareilly, the complaint suggests that IAS Abhishek Prakash acquired 700 bighas of land in Lakhimpur Kheri and Bareilly using the names of his family members and allegedly through shell companies. Additionally, 400 bighas of land were purchased in Bareilly alone, with accusations of stamp duty evasion. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) had previously written to the Uttar Pradesh government, recommending an investigation into these transactions.
Who is Mahesh Pandey?
Mahesh Pandey, formerly associated with the Samajwadi Party, was known for his close ties with Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav. He later joined the BJP before the last municipal elections, reportedly on the recommendation of Dr. Umesh Gautam’s father, K.K. Gautam. He currently resides in the Phoolbagh area of Bareilly and is recognised as a legal expert and social activist.
With the ED now stepping in, this case is expected to gain further attention, potentially leading to deeper scrutiny of the International City Project and other alleged land deals linked to IAS Abhishek Prakash.
