Illegal Construction Continues on 3,500 Bighas of Maharishi Ashram Land in Noida Despite ED Action
Illegal flats, villas and colonies continue to emerge on Maharishi Ashram land in Noida despite an ongoing ED investigation, raising concerns over land fraud and the Noida Authority's response.
- Around 26,000 flats, villas and thousands of houses were reportedly constructed on the disputed land between 2019 and 2023.
- The ED has arrested two people in connection with alleged fraudulent land transactions, while two Noida Authority employees have reportedly been detained and questioned.
- Local farmers have demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged land scam and the role of officials.
Noida: Illegal construction on land belonging to the Maharishi Ashram in Noida continues despite action by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), raising serious questions about enforcement and oversight. A large residential settlement, reportedly spread across approximately 3,500 bighas of land, has developed through the construction and sale of flats, villas and residential plots.
The disputed land belongs to the Spiritual Regeneration Movement Foundation of India Trust. According to the report, individuals allegedly used forged documents to sell portions of the property. An initial complaint concerned the alleged fraudulent sale of 40 bighas of land. Subsequent ED investigations reportedly uncovered a much larger network of transactions involving thousands of bighas. The scale of the alleged fraud has brought the land’s ownership, development and sale into focus.
The ED has already arrested two individuals in connection with the alleged fraudulent land deals. In a further development, two employees of the Noida Authority have reportedly been detained and questioned as part of the investigation. However, no detailed official statement from the Noida Authority explaining its position or the action taken against the ongoing construction has been provided in the source report.
Records maintained by the district administration and tehsil authorities reportedly classify the disputed land as agricultural. However, residential development has taken place without the necessary land-use conversion, while building plans for the construction have not been approved by the Noida Authority, according to the report.
The scale of development is another major concern. Around 26,000 flats and villas, along with thousands of houses, are said to have been constructed between 2019 and 2023. Roads, boundary walls and other infrastructure have also reportedly been developed in the area.
Despite notices issued by the authorities, demolition action has reportedly not followed. Meanwhile, the sale of residential plots and villas is said to be continuing. The situation has raised concerns about how such extensive development could take place without effective regulatory intervention.
The disputed land is reportedly valued at around ₹70,000 to ₹90,000 per square yard. Given the size of the land and the scale of the alleged transactions, the potential financial implications could run into hundreds of crores of rupees.
Local farmers have called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter and have urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to ensure accountability. Ashok Bhati, district president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Tikait group), has alleged that the illegal colony could not have developed without the involvement or negligence of officials.
Bhati has called for action against the officials allegedly responsible for allowing the unauthorised development. Farmers are seeking a comprehensive investigation to establish who facilitated the transactions, who benefited financially and why enforcement action has remained limited.
The ongoing ED investigation is expected to examine the alleged forged documents, property transactions and the individuals involved in the disputed land deals. The reported questioning of Noida Authority employees has also brought the authority’s administrative role under scrutiny.
The immediate concerns include preventing further unauthorised construction, examining the legality of existing structures and establishing the ownership status of the disputed land. Any future demolition or regularisation action will depend on the findings of the relevant authorities and applicable legal procedures.
The case also raises concerns for people who may have purchased plots, flats or villas in the area without being fully aware of the land’s legal status. Buyers should verify ownership records, land-use permissions and approved building plans before entering into any property transaction involving the disputed area.
The khasra numbers reportedly associated with the illegal construction include 700–715, 723, 724, 728, 730–735, 745–752, 759–764, 779, 780 and 795–798.
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