{"id":"f-73cd9b4b27-60c97c22-bcdc-5d7f-92dc-f741929d2031","title":"Growing menace of land fraud in Uttarakhand: Farmer commits suicide leaving recorded video, raises questions on system","description":"The recent case of suicide of Kashipur farmer Sukhwant Singh has shaken Uttarakhand, exposing the deep crisis of land fraud, police complicity, and eroding trust in the system. His death is not an isolated case but part of a disturbing pattern.","timestamp":1768378999,"category":"national_v_two","headline":"Growing menace of land fraud in Uttarakhand: Farmer commits suicide leaving recorded video, raises questions on system","modifiedHeadline":"Uttarakhand Land Fraud: Farmer Suicide Probed","subCategories":["scid_32ea1c2f"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"7b48871c-c993-4956-b43d-6f46f8e1b036","bundleTitle":"Today In India","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"380","fcSummary":"A farmer's suicide in Uttarakhand, after accusing property dealers and police of fraud, highlights a troubling trend of land-related suicides in the state. Victims often allege police complicity and inaction, eroding trust in the system. The CM has ordered an inquiry and suspended officials.","summary":"Uttarakhand shaken as farmer's suicide exposes land fraud, police complicity, and systemic failures, raising concerns over justice.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/astrology/IN/en/news9/f-73cd9b4b27-60c97c22-bcdc-5d7f-92dc-f741929d2031","sourceUrl":"https://www.news9live.com/india/growing-menace-of-land-fraud-in-uttarakhand-farmer-commits-suicide-leaving-recorded-video-raises-questions-on-system-2919532","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/YLlPXxr33kX0.webp","content":"

Dehradun: The tragic suicide of farmer Sukhwant Singh from Kashipur has once again highlighted the growing menace of land fraud in Uttarakhand.

On January

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11, Sukhwant took his own life in a hotel room in Kathgodam, Nainital district, while his wife and son were away. Before ending his life, he recorded a video naming property dealers and police officials, accusing them of cheating him of his life’s savings.

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मुख्यमंत्री पुष्कर धामी के गृह जनपद उधमसिंह नगर में किसान सुखवंत सिंह ने आत्महत्या कर ली है, इस वीडियो को देखिए, अगर आपका खून नहीं खोला तो समझ लेना खून नहीं पानी है।
\n एक किसान के साथ ज़मीन का फ्रॉड हुआ, शिकायत करने पहुंचा तो संवेदनहीन सिस्टम ने उसे जलील किया और गाली गलौच करके भगा… pic.twitter.com/sFayseHnUn
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— Ajit Singh Rathi (@AjitSinghRathi) January 11, 2026
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Property dealers siphoned off his money

In his video, Sukhwant Singh explained how property dealers siphoned off his money and how police officers in Udham Singh Nagar failed to deliver justice. Instead of helping him, he alleged, some officials colluded with fraudsters. His words have raised serious questions about the system’s integrity and accountability.

Immediate action taken by police and govt

After the video surfaced, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a magisterial inquiry. The SSP suspended the Station Officer of ITI police station, a sub‑inspector, and eight other personnel, including the Paigha outpost in‑charge. A case was registered against 26 accused based on a complaint filed by Sukhwant’s brother.

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But questions remain: Why was no FIR filed against the police officers named in the video? Why was the FIR registered in Udham Singh Nagar when the suicide occurred in Kathgodam, Nainital? Critics argue this could be an attempt to influence the investigation.

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प्रदेश की कानून व्यवस्था बिलकुल चरमरा चुकी है, किस तरह से उत्तराखंड पुलिस कानून व्यवस्था छोड़कर जमीनों के धंधे में लगी है, यह बताने के लिए हालिया मामला प्रदेश के मुख्यमंत्री के गृह जनपद उधमसिंह नगर के काशीपुर से आया है, एक किसान सुखवंत सिंह ने वीडियो जारी कर जान दे दी है। इस घटना… pic.twitter.com/tRiFxF2BdV
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— Ganesh Godiyal (@UKGaneshGodiyal) January 11, 2026
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Past cases of land fraud suicides

Sukhwant’s case is not the first. Uttarakhand has witnessed several suicides linked to land disputes:

Jitendra Singh (2025): A 32‑year‑old from Talsari village, Dehradun, committed suicide in his car after posting a video accusing a man of taking Rs 3.5 million for a land deal and failing to deliver. Police arrested the accused only after Jitendra’s death.

Satendra Singh Sahni (2024): A prominent Dehradun builder, Sahni committed suicide, leaving a note blaming the Gupta brothers for interfering in his projects. The police arrested them under Section 306 IPC, though they are now out on bail.

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Former CM’s Nephew: He released a video alleging his complaint was ignored in a land dispute. Only after public pressure did police register his case. Later, two policemen in Roorkee were found colluding with criminals and booked by the STF.

These cases show a disturbing trend: victims often leave behind videos or notes naming culprits, but action comes only after tragedy.

Political and Social Reactions

CM Dhami called the Kashipur farmer’s suicide “extremely unfortunate” and promised strict action against the guilty. He assured transparency in the investigation.

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Uttarakhand | Following strict instructions from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the suicide case of farmer Sukhwant Singh from Udham Singh Nagar district. The inquiry will be conducted by Kumaon Division… pic.twitter.com/J7ONISthXr
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— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 12, 2026
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The opposition Congress, however, attacked the government. State Congress President Ganesh Godiyal said law and order has collapsed, pointing out that a farmer had to name police officers in a dying video. He demanded an impartial probe.

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Family’s allegations

Sukhwant’s father, Teja Singh, revealed that the family had received Rs 47 million for land acquired for a factory project. They planned to buy seven acres, but property dealers defrauded them through benami deeds. Despite complaints, police allegedly ignored their case. The fraud wiped out their savings, pushing Sukhwant into despair.

Ignoring complaints is a major failure of the police system

Udham Singh Nagar SSP Manikant Mishra admitted that ignoring complaints is a major failure of the police system. He promised strict action against any employee found guilty and said the investigation would not spare anyone involved.

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The rising number of suicides linked to land disputes raises urgent questions

Why are land mafias thriving in Uttarakhand? Is the booming land market and poor monitoring fueling fraud? Why is police complicity repeatedly surfacing in these cases?

The common thread is the erosion of trust in the system. Victims, whether farmers, builders, or even political families, feel justice is denied until tragedy forces action.

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Growing menace of land fraud in Uttarakhand: Farmer commits suicide leaving recorded video, raises questions on system

SUMMARY