• Forged documents to seek compensation for land which, they claimed, had been submerged

• Sought the help of accomplice in the irrigation department to fabricate letters

• Ensured that the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) approved their claim

• With the SDM's order in hand, went about forging khatauni (land possession documents) in their family members' favour. Ownership of land worth

Rs 100 crore was transferred
• Roped in the assistant registrar in the revenue department to verify these documents

• Removed all earlier records of the land and replaced them with the forged khatauni

• Fudged papers kept in the district record room, adding a fictitious village to the crucial register: R-57

• Were reportedly let off by higher officials

• Managed to get the name of the village published in the state gazette

• Struck a deal to sell timber worth Rs 17 crore.

Ran out of luck at this stage, as racket was unearthed and they were arrested.

Note: Drawn from first information reports and the Bijnor district magistrate's report submitted in the local court