Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Arunachal Pradesh Suspends Four Officials Over Frontier Highway Scam
Imagine a big road project being built in Arunachal Pradesh, called the Frontier Highway.
To build the road, the government needs to buy land from people.
Some people are saying that the people in charge of paying for the land have been cheating.
They claim that money was paid for land that doesn't even exist, or that the amounts paid were wrong.
Because of these complaints, the government sent a team to investigate.
This team found that there were indeed big problems with how the money was given out.
So, the government has suspended four workers involved in this process and wants to take action against the main boss, the Deputy Commissioner, who approved the payments.
They are still investigating to find out exactly what happened and get all the details.
Four Arunachal Pradesh officials suspended amid a probe into land compensation irregularities for the Frontier Highway project.
A fact-finding committee discovered large-scale irregularities, including compensation for non-existent assets and fraudulent assessments.
The East Kameng Deputy Commissioner has been recommended for disciplinary action for chairing the Ground Verification Board that approved the controversial award.
Complaints from affected landowners about improper surveys, exclusion of legitimate claimants, and disproportionate compensation triggered the investigation.
The government is seeking recovery of public money disbursed illegally and has set a deadline for the final investigation report.
- Who
- Arunachal Pradesh government, four suspended officials (DFO, DAO, DHO, DLRS), Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Nigam, fact-finding committee, affected landowners, civil society groups.
- What
- Suspension of four officials and recommended disciplinary action against the Deputy Commissioner due to large-scale irregularities and fraudulent practices in land compensation for the Frontier Highway project.
- When
- Interim report submitted on November 4, 2023; officials suspended recently.
- Where
- Lada–Sarli portion of the Frontier Highway project in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Why
- Allegations of widespread corruption, including compensation for non-existent assets, wrongful and fraudulent evaluations in land acquisition for the project.
Affected Landowners and Civil Society
Arunachal Pradesh Government
Allegations of Irregularities in Land Compensation
Affected Landowners and Civil Society
Accuse the administration of betraying public trust, robbing genuine victims, and excluding legitimate claimants while disproportionately compensating non-existent beneficiaries.
Arunachal Pradesh Government
Acknowledged "large-scale irregularities" and fraudulent assessment practices, leading to the suspension of officials and recommendation for further action.
Ground Survey and Verification Process
Affected Landowners and Civil Society
Allege that no proper ground survey was carried out.
Arunachal Pradesh Government
The Ground Verification Board, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, approved a controversial award, with a fact-finding committee confirming serious omissions and commissions by the verification team.
Demand for Action
Affected Landowners and Civil Society
Demand a transparent probe, strict punitive action against all involved, and recovery of illegally disbursed public money.
Arunachal Pradesh Government
Suspended four officials and recommended disciplinary action against the Deputy Commissioner pending further investigation.
- Project Name
- Frontier Highway Project (Lada–Sarli portion, package I to V)
- Irregularities Found
- Compensation for non-existent assets, wrongful and fraudulent evaluations
- Suspended Officials
- Divisional Forest Officer Abhinav Kumar, District Agriculture Officer Miram Perme, District Horticulture Officer C K Tayum, District Land Revenue & Settlement Officer Takam Kechak
- Official Recommended for Suspension
- Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Nigam
- Fact-Finding Committee Headed By
- Commissioner (Transport)
- Date of FFC Constitution
- August 13, 2023
- Date of FFC Interim Report
- November 4, 2023
- FFC Final Report Deadline
- November 30, 2023