Ex-Beed district collector arrested in ₹241 crore land acquisition compensation scam
Former Beed district collector Avinash Pathak was arrested in Latur by a Special Investigation Team in connection with a land acquisition compensation scam worth about ₹241 crore. A committee reported 154 fabricated compensation orders using his name, spanning March 1, 2025 to April 17, 2025.
Why It Matters
The case raises concerns about misuse of official authority in land compensation and potential gaps in oversight, with implications for governance and public trust.
Timeline
4 Events
Arrest of Avinash Pathak in Latur by Beed Special Investigation Team
Pathak, a 2013-batch IAS officer and former collector of Beed district, was arrested in Latur at his residence in Hatte Nagar by a Special Investigation Team of the Beed police on Thursday morning. The operation was led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Venkataraman. He is accused in connection with the alleged scam involving enhanced land compensation and forged documents.
Case registered against 10 persons including Pathak
Shivajinagar police station in Beed registered a case against 10 persons, including Avinash Pathak, over allegations of fraudulent land acquisition compensation orders.
Investigation concludes: 154 fabricated orders identified
Preliminary findings reported that 154 cases of fabricated compensation orders were issued using Pathak's name, designation, and forged signatures, totaling approximately ₹241.62 crore in enhanced compensation.
Investigation period identified for fabricated compensation orders (start)
A committee appointed to probe the matter identified a period from March 1, 2025 to April 17, 2025 during which fabricated land acquisition compensation orders allegedly used Pathak's name.