Rajkot: The local police has booked one Dharmesh Hapaliya, a former talati-cum-minister of Trakuda village in Gondal taluka, for allegedly committing large-scale corruption and forgery during his tenure.

According to a complaint filed by current talati Bhavesh Udeshi, Hapaliya is accused of illegally allotting government land between January 2021 and July 2024 by forging signatures of senior officials and preparing fake documents.

The alleged scam, exposed after the taluka development officer (TDO) flagged irregularities in free plot allotments in the Navagam Tal area, involved unauthorized distribution of 44 residential plots covering over 6,200 sq m, valued at about ₹70 lakh, without approvals or public auction.

Hapaliya also allegedly issued fake allotment orders, forged seals and certificates, and collected money from beneficiaries. He has been booked under multiple BNS sections related to forgery and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Police have launched a detailed investigation. DeshGujarat