Punjab, July 1: In a land scam of shocking proportions, a mother-son duo has been accused of fraudulently selling a World War II-era defence airstrip located in Fattuwala village, near the India-Pakistan border. The airstrip, formerly used by the Indian Air Force (IAF) during key military operations in 1962, 1965, and 1971, was allegedly sold by Usha Ansal and her son Naveen Chand in collusion with revenue officials.
The fraudulent sale reportedly took place in 1997, six years after the land’s original owner had passed away in 1991. Despite the military never transferring ownership, fake sale deeds emerged, falsely listing other individuals as owners. The airstrip had remained under Ministry of Defence control for decades due to its strategic importance.
The case came to light after a complaint by retired revenue official Nishan Singh, who alleged the fraudulent transfer had been ignored for years. His appeal in 2021 was followed by a request from the Commandant of Halwara Air Force Station for an official probe. However, significant action only began after Singh moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which directed the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) to investigate.
An FIR was filed on June 20, citing charges of cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code. DSP Karan Sharma is now leading the investigation.
Justice Harjit Singh Brar, while hearing the case, called it a serious threat to national security. He ordered the VB’s Director to personally verify the allegations and submit a report within four weeks. The court also expressed concern over the ease with which sensitive defence land was transferred through fraudulent means.
After nearly three decades of legal inertia, the land was restored to the Ministry of Defence in May 2025. The ongoing investigation aims to trace all those involved, including government officials who may have facilitated or overlooked the illegal transaction.
The case underscores deep flaws in land record management and raises concerns about the oversight of strategic defence assets.
