A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed following revelations that a mother and son in Ferozepur, Punjab, allegedly sold off a 15‑acre Indian Air Force (IAF) airstrip in 1997, using forged documents in collusion with revenue officials, as per the media reports. The issue may not have come to light if a revenue minister had not complained about the same.
The airstrip, located in Fattu Wala village, dating back to World War II, was used by the Royal Air Force and later by the IAF during the 1962, 1965, and 1971 wars. The village is close to the Pakistan border. The accused have been identified as Usha Ansal and her son Naveen Chand, natives of Dumni Wala village, who currently reside in Delhi.
Taking note, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Vigilance Bureau to complete its probe in four to six weeks and has scolded the Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner for delays that may have put national security at risk.
A case has been registered against the suspect under several IPC sections: 419 (cheating by pretending to be someone else), 420 (cheating and persuading someone to hand over property), 465 (forgery), 467 (forging a will or valuable document), 471 (using a fake document as if it were real), and 120B (criminal conspiracy).
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A retired revenue official, Nishan Singh, lodged the initial complaint, prompting the Halwara Air Force Station authority to also petition the local deputy commissioner to intervene, and initiate a probe into the matter. Investigations are being led by DSP Karan Sharma under multiple IPC charges, including forgery, cheating, and criminal conspiracy.
The ongoing inquiry will ascertain the extent of the fraud, identify all individuals involved, and ensure the asset remains under government control.
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