India’s forgotten airstrip scam: How a mother–son duo sold a WWII-era IAF strip in 1997

In a shocking case of land fraud, a woman and her son have been booked for allegedly selling a World War II-era airstrip used by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Punjab’s Fattu Wala village. The land in question is the historic Advance Landing Ground (ALG), which played a role in the 1962, 1965, and 1971 wars.

The accused, Usha Ansal and her son Naveen Chand Ansal, originally from Dumani Wala village and currently residing in Delhi, are accused of selling the IAF land in 1997 using forged documents. The airstrip, according to official records, had been under IAF control since its acquisition by the British in 1945.

Retired kanungo (revenue official) Nishan Singh, who discovered the fraud years ago, initially filed a complaint but received no response. In 2021, the Halwara Air Force Station requested an inquiry from the Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner. With no resolution, Singh escalated the matter to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which eventually ordered a formal investigation.

According to Singh, the land was originally owned by Madan Mohan Lal, who had shifted to Delhi before 1947 and died in 1991. In 1997—six years after his death—the accused allegedly created fake ownership records to sell the land.

“The truth came out only after the High Court intervened and ordered an investigation by the Vigilance Bureau,” said Singh.

The investigation revealed the involvement of several low-level revenue officials who allegedly facilitated the fraudulent sale. Names included in the deal—Mukhtiar Singh, Jagir Singh, Surjit Kaur, Manjit Kaur, Dara Singh, Ramesh Kant, and Rakesh Kant—were reportedly added to ownership records without ever being granted legal possession.

A three-page report by the Deputy Commissioner in response to court orders confirmed the land remained with the IAF as per revenue records from 1958–59. However, Singh alleged the report was misleading and key facts had been deliberately suppressed to shield corrupt officials.

Following a renewed probe by the district administration in May 2025, the land that was fraudulently transferred was formally restored to the Ministry of Defence. A June 20 report confirmed that the property was originally acquired by the British administration in 1945 for use during World War II.

Based on the vigilance report, an FIR was finally registered at Kulgarhi Police Station. Ferozepur SSP Bhupinder Singh confirmed the case was registered following the High Court's direction. Inspector Jagandeep Kaur of the Vigilance Bureau led the investigation.

“The officers prepared fake records and sold this land in 1997. Our revenue officials kept covering up the matter and took bribes,” Nishan Singh alleged.

With inputs from ANI