Nagpur: A dangerous pattern of organised land grabbing is tightening its grip on the city. In just two months, at least 11 cases of forcible occupation, locally known as ‘kabzaa,’ have surfaced across multiple police jurisdictions, exposing what appears to be a well-oiled nexus of musclemen, legal manipulation, and alleged complicity at the ground level, a report in a local English daily said.
Private plots and buildings worth crores have been brazenly seized, their rightful owners pushed into financial ruin while the accused walk free under bailable charges.
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Alarmed by the rising menace, Commissioner of Police Ravinder Singal is preparing to crack down with unprecedented severity. The top cop is set to direct all police stations to invoke non-bailable offences such as dacoity, instead of limiting cases to mild sections like criminal trespass or breach of peace — provisions that have allowed accused land grabbers to secure easy pre-arrest bail and retain illegal possession, the report added.
He has also signalled action against errant police personnel found aiding or shielding the perpetrators.
Livelihood destroyed, accused walk free
In January, a construction material trader from Hudkeshwar left for Hyderabad, only to return and find his property forcibly taken over. A gang allegedly stormed the site, cleared out valuable stock overnight, and occupied the premises. Despite the scale of the offence, police booked the accused under bailable sections, enabling them to walk out of custody almost immediately.
In February, under the jurisdiction of Rana Pratap Nagar Police Station, two properties belonging to a family were targeted in rapid succession. Once again, the charges invoked were bailable. The alleged encroachers consolidated their hold while the victims were left navigating a slow and uncertain legal maze.
Legal experts say the pattern is unmistakable. “There is a systematic strategy at play, intimidate the victim, exploit legal loopholes, and ensure FIRs are diluted so bail becomes automatic,” one expert observed.
A sophisticated racket, not street crime
Sources within the police department confirm that at least 11 such cases were flagged by CP Singal across different stations. The recurring template: forcible entry, immediate intimidation, limited charges, quick bail, continued illegal possession.
What was once sporadic trespass has now evolved into a structured racket. Hired bouncers — including groups led by women, are deployed as frontline enforcers to silence resistance. The name of a woman identified as Thakur has reportedly surfaced in connection with multiple incidents.
Insiders say these are not random acts. High-value, dispute-prone properties are deliberately targeted. Once occupied, the alleged grabbers either demand hefty “settlement” money to vacate or attempt to manipulate documentation to transfer ownership, the daily report stated.
The fallout is severe. Businesses collapse overnight. Families lose life savings. The real estate ecosystem suffers as fear replaces confidence.
Zero tolerance directive
Commissioner Singal has reportedly ordered strict scrutiny of bouncer groups operating in the city, including verification of the organisations behind them. Police station in-charges are expected to face direct accountability if cases are diluted.
“All victims can approach me directly during visiting hours or submit complaints at my office,” Singal has said, signalling an open-door policy to restore public trust.
Why Nagpur became vulnerable
Experts attribute the spike in ‘kabzaa’ incidents to a volatile mix of rapid urban expansion, long-pending property disputes, and weak on-ground enforcement. Disputed properties, especially those tied up in civil litigation for years, provide convenient cover for criminal encroachment.
Middle-class families, already burdened by prolonged court battles, find themselves fighting both organised muscle power and procedural delays.
For now, the city watches closely. If the promised crackdown materialises, it could mark a turning point in reclaiming law and order. If not, Nagpur risks allowing land mafia networks to entrench themselves deeper into its urban landscape.
