Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi/Itanagar
New Delhi/Itanagar, Mar 28: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached properties worth around Rs 2.37 crore in Arunachal Pradesh in connection with the Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) land acquisition compensation scam, officials said on Saturday. The action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, through a Provisional Attachment Order dated March 23.
The attached assets include 47,350 square metres of land in Dolo village, Nyapin, Kurung Kumey district, owned by Tadar Babin, and a traditional house in Jath village, Yachuli, Keyi Panyor district, registered to Likha Maj. These properties are alleged to represent proceeds of crime stemming from fraudulent diversion of government compensation funds under the TAH project, a 2,407-km highway traversing 16 districts and designated as National Highway-13.
Investigations have revealed irregularities in compensation disbursement along the Potin–Bopi stretch, with a Fact-Finding Committee reporting excess payments totaling approximately Rs 44.98 crore above admissible amounts. Several public officials and private individuals are accused of orchestrating the fraud. Among them, Kemo Lollen, former Deputy Commissioner of Ziro, allegedly authorised and facilitated illicit payments. Bharat Lingu, former District Land Revenue and Settlement Officer, Ziro, reportedly processed manipulated claims, while Junior Engineers Toko Taje and Toko Tath are accused of inflating structural assessments and unlawfully adding beneficiaries. Kabak Bhatt is alleged to have assisted in diverting funds through intermediaries, and the beneficiaries Likha Maj and Tadar Babin are said to have received compensation without entitlement.
Earlier, on February 6, 2026, ED searches across Arunachal Pradesh and Assam led to the seizure of Rs 2.40 crore from Likha Maj and Rs 22 lakh from Tadar Babin, along with freezing bank balances of roughly Rs 1.19 crore and recovery of documents and digital evidence. Prior investigations had frozen Rs 3.95 crore, bringing the total value of secured proceeds of crime in the case to approximately Rs 10.13 crore.
The ED had filed a Prosecution Complaint on March 12, 2024, against Kabak Bhatt, with the Special Court (PMLA), Yupia, taking cognisance on March 14, 2024. The ongoing probe has identified additional proceeds and accused, prompting the latest attachment to safeguard assets for eventual confiscation under the PMLA. Investigations into the highway land compensation scam are continuing.