Bharatmala Compensation Scam: EOW Cracks Down, Former Tehsildar and Naib Tehsildar Arrested in Multi-Crore Fraud Case in Raipur
Raipur, February 11, 2026:
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has taken major action in the alleged multi-crore land compensation scam linked to the Bharatmala Corridor road construction project in Raipur district. Two key revenue officials — Shashikant Kurre, then Tehsildar of Abhanpur, and Lakheshwar Prasad Kiran, then Naib Tehsildar of Gobra Nawapara — have been arrested.
According to EOW officials, both officers played a central role in allegedly inflating land compensation amounts, causing a massive financial loss to the state exchequer. The case has been registered as Crime No. 30/2025 at Raipur–Kharora and Naya Raipur police stations.
The accused have been booked under Sections 467, 468, 471, 420, 409 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code, along with Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018).
As per the FIR, the officials, in collusion with subordinate patwaris, revenue inspectors, middlemen and others, allegedly prepared forged revenue records and documents. Based on these fabricated records, compensation amounts several times higher than the legitimate entitlement of affected landowners were released, resulting in a loss running into crores of rupees for the government.
EOW sources stated that both accused had earlier approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail, but their petitions were rejected. Prior to this, the Special Court had issued permanent arrest warrants and proclamation orders against them and other absconding public servants named in the scam.
Police said the accused had been evading arrest for a prolonged period and were declared absconders. On February 11, 2026, they were taken into custody, formally arrested and produced before the Special Court in Raipur. The court has remanded them to police custody for detailed interrogation regarding their alleged involvement in the compensation fraud.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials indicated that more arrests could follow as the probe progresses.
