Income Tax Survey Detects ₹1,100 Crore Property Registry Fraud in Five Hours, Triggers Panic Across Kanpur

Kanpur, December 31, 2025 A major income tax survey carried out in Kanpur has uncovered suspected property-related fraud worth nearly ₹1,100 crore in just five hours, sending shockwaves across the city. The swift action by the Income Tax Department has raised serious questions about irregularities in property registry records and has created an atmosphere of anxiety among traders, real estate dealers, and registry officials. The operation took place on Tuesday at the second registry zone office in Kanpur. A six-member team of the Income Tax Department, led by a senior officer, began scrutinising property transaction records from the past several years. The survey focused on registrations carried out between 2020 and 2025. During the initial review itself, officials found large-scale mismatches in transaction values, personal details, and tax-related information. According to officials involved in the action, several property records showed incorrect or fake Permanent Account Numbers (PAN). In many cases, the PAN numbers mentioned in registry documents did not match the names of buyers or sellers. Along with this, mobile numbers and addresses were also found to be inaccurate or non-functional. These irregularities point towards deliberate attempts to hide the real value of property transactions and evade taxes. What has drawn particular attention is the speed at which the discrepancies were detected. Within just five hours of reviewing the data, the income tax team identified suspicious transactions amounting to around ₹1,100 crore. Officials believe that this figure may increase significantly once a detailed examination of all records is completed. This is not the first time such irregularities have been flagged in Kanpur. Just a few days earlier, a similar survey was conducted at the first registry zone of the city, where discrepancies worth nearly ₹2,500 crore were detected. With back-to-back actions, Kanpur has emerged as a major focus area for tax authorities, especially in matters related to property registration and stamp duty payments. The purpose of the survey, officials said, is to ensure transparency and verify whether property transactions are being registered at their true market value. Underreporting of property prices leads to significant loss of revenue to the government and is considered a serious violation of tax laws. The use of fake PAN numbers and incorrect contact details further strengthens the suspicion of organised wrongdoing. Following the findings, the Income Tax Department has sought detailed explanations and supporting documents from those linked to the suspicious registrations. Parties involved have been given a limited time frame to submit clarifications. If satisfactory responses are not provided, further action, including penalties and detailed investigations, may follow. The sudden action has created panic among property dealers, lawyers, and people who frequently deal with registry offices. Many fear that past transactions may come under scrutiny, even if errors were unintentional. At the registry office, activity slowed down as staff remained cautious and visitors expressed concern over possible follow-up actions. Officials clarified that the survey is part of a broader drive to curb tax evasion and improve compliance. They emphasised that honest taxpayers need not worry, but warned that strict action would be taken against those found manipulating records or concealing transaction values. Experts believe that such surveys indicate a more aggressive approach by tax authorities in monitoring high-value transactions. With increasing digital tracking and data matching, hiding information has become more difficult. Property transactions, in particular, are under close watch due to their frequent misuse for tax evasion. As the investigation continues, the full extent of the alleged fraud is yet to be known. For now, the detection of ₹1,100 crore worth of suspicious transactions in just a few hours has highlighted serious gaps in the system and underscored the need for stricter oversight. The coming days are expected to bring more clarity as officials dig deeper into records and take the probe forward. Income Tax Survey Detects ₹1,100 Crore Property Registry Fraud in Five Hours, Triggers Panic Across Kanpur A major income tax survey in Kanpur has exposed suspected property registry fraud worth nearly ₹1,100 crore in just five hours, creating panic across the city. The action was carried out at the city’s second registry zone, where officials examined property records from the last few years, mainly between 2020 and 2025. A six-member Income Tax Department team reviewed registry documents and quickly noticed serious irregularities. Several property registrations showed mismatched or fake PAN numbers, incorrect mobile numbers, and unclear buyer and seller details. In many cases, the information in the documents did not match the actual parties involved in the transactions. Officials believe these errors were used to hide the real value of property deals and avoid paying proper taxes. What shocked officials was the speed and scale of the findings. Within a short five-hour window, records linked to transactions worth around ₹1,100 crore were flagged as suspicious. Officers feel the amount could increase once all documents are checked in detail. This survey was not an isolated move. A similar action was conducted recently at another registry zone in Kanpur, where irregularities worth about ₹2,500 crore were detected. With back-to-back surveys, Kanpur has come under close watch as authorities step up efforts to stop tax evasion in property deals. Following the survey, the department has asked concerned parties to submit explanations and documents within a fixed time. Further action may be taken if replies are not satisfactory. The sudden operation has caused unease among property dealers, lawyers, and registry staff. Officials say the aim is to ensure transparency and protect government revenue. Honest taxpayers, they added, have nothing to fear, but those manipulating records may face strict action.