EOW files FIR against Sahara for land 'scam'

FIR accuses Sahara executives of diverting crores, defying Supreme Court directives.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in Bhopal on Friday filed a First Information Report (FIR) against top executives of the Sahara Group for allegedly orchestrating large-scale financial irregularities in the sale of land parcels across Madhya Pradesh.

The FIR (No. 0116/2025) accuses the Sahara management of cheating, criminal conspiracy, and violating Supreme Court orders by diverting over Rs 72 crore in sale proceeds that were supposed to be deposited into the SEBI-Sahara Refund Account.

On January 26 this year, The Sunday Guardian had reported on the undervalued land sales, highlighting political links and the risk posed to investors' refunds.

Following this exposé, the Economic Offences Wing and other central agencies initiated action, including the registration of a Preliminary Examination, which culminated in the filing of the FIR on Friday, formally opening the case against Sahara Group officials.

Sources said more names will be added in the FIR in the coming days, including politicians.

Named in the FIR are Simanto Rai, Chief Corporate Manager and son of Sahara Group founder Subrata Roy; J.B. Rai, Deputy Managing Worker and DGM (Commercial); and O.P. Srivastava, Deputy Managing Worker of Sahara Prime City Limited.