LUCKNOW: The Lucknow Police have secured movable and immovable assets valued over Rs 5.78 crore under the Gangsters Act linked to a fraudulent real estate scheme that deceived individuals by selling nonexistent or disputed land, officials announced on Thursday.
This operation was conducted in the Mohanlalganj region, led by Police Commissioner Amrendra Singh Sengar, as part of an ongoing crackdown against organized crime. The assets seized belong to alleged gang leader Pramod Kumar Upadhyay and his accomplice, Vinod Kumar Upadhyay, according to police statements.
According to authorities, “The accused ran a sophisticated syndicate that attracted unsuspecting buyers with enticing offers for residential plots, masquerading as agents of reputable real estate companies. Victims later discovered they had been sold land that either didn’t exist or wasn’t owned by the accused.”
The gang specifically targeted military and paramilitary personnel, taking advantage of their limited availability for site inspections due to service obligations.
Since 2020, a total of 66 cases, encompassing charges of fraud, conspiracy, forgery, criminal breach of trust, and attempted murder, have been filed against the accused at various police stations in Lucknow, as stated by officials.
The asset seizure was executed under section 14(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, following directives issued by a competent court on April 6.
The confiscated properties include a plot and a semi-constructed home in Omaxe City, Lucknow, collectively valued at over Rs 5.3 crore, in addition to three vehicles: a Toyota Innova, a Maruti Swift, and a Mahindra Bolero, estimated to be worth around Rs 45 lakh, as reported by the police.
Police teams, alongside revenue officials, have marked the properties with attachment notices and informed local residents that these assets are now under court control. Further proceedings for attachment are currently in progress.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to take stringent action against organized crime syndicates to protect public interests and ensure a crime-free environment.
