IDUKKI: The main accused in the case of acquiring and selling 3.30 acres of government land in Wagaman with the connivance of revenue officials and politicians by impersonation is under Vigilance custody. Jolly Stephen (61), owner of Vagamon Ranimudi Estate, was arrested from Bengaluru by the Idukki vigilance team. The land belonging to Survey No. 724 of Wagamon Village was acquired and sold by the accused through fraud. He and his father owned more than 110 acres of land here. In 1994, when the pattaya mela was held, they influenced the then revenue officials and organized pattayam for three to four acres of land in the name of his relatives without their knowledge. In this way, pattayam in the names of 12 people was created. In 2012, Jolly changed the title deed of 3.30 acres of land in the name of Jessy to his own name. Later it was divided into plots and sold at a huge price.

In 2019, Jolly's ex-wife had filed a complaint with the police claiming that property in the name of her and her relatives had been obtained by forging documents. During the subsequent investigation, the vigilance found that 3.3 acres of land were sold on the basis of a fake title deed. Vigilantes who searched for Jessy could not find such a person at the above address. The investigation team also went to the house of Jolly's cousin Jessy, but they said they had no knowledge. Jolly completed the registration process with the connivance of the officials by bringing another person named Jessy. Later, the vigilance found that the woman had died.

Properties worth 80 crores were confiscated and sold

According to preliminary information, Jolly sold properties worth more than 80 crore rupees. Many buildings have also come up on the land which he has divided into several plots and sold. He is also accused in the case of encroaching on 55 acres of government land and selling it by making fake title deeds. The Crime Branch investigation is in progress in this case in which Revenue Department officials are also involved. Jolly had applied for anticipatory bail three times. He was asked to appear the first time and the third time, but he did not. For the second time, he tried to deceive the court on the pretext of Covid. Finally, in November 2022, an arrest warrant was issued by the vigilance court on application. He was later arrested from flat number 304 of Apple Blossom Apartments in Bengaluru.