Nainital/Haldwani: SIT Recommends Seizure of Properties of Fraud Accused Dhananjay Giri

Subheading: Police ask for freeze and seizure under Section 107 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023 as investigation into multi-crore fraud cases continues

, 2 May 2026 — The Office of the Inspector General, Kumaon Range, Nainital has informed the District Magistrate, Nainital that Dhananjay Giri (son of Jata Shankar Giri), resident of Subhash Nagar, Haldwani, is accused of cheating and extorting crores of rupees from ordinary citizens. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by the Superintendent of Police (Crime & Traffic), Udham Singh Nagar, has been constituted to carry out an in-depth probe. The SIT has recommended that several properties linked to the accused be treated as proceeds of crime and be seized under Section 107 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023.

Key points from the press note

In a report dated 07.05.2026 (letter no. SP-CRIME-01/2026), the SIT stated that multiple FIRs and complaints against Dhananjay Giri are already registered at Haldwani, Kathgodam and Lalkuan police stations. Some of these cases have progressed to charge-sheets submitted to the court.

Notable case references include FIR nos. 413/2018, 138/2019, 59/2023, 167/2023 (Haldwani), 61/2023 (Kathgodam) and 04/2020 (Lalkuan), many invoking Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (cheating).

Initial investigations indicate that the accused holds several small agricultural plots and other properties in villages such as Danuwahunga, Damauri Malli and Kamluyagaja Gaur (tehsil Haldwani). The SIT believes these assets appear to have been acquired from proceeds of crime.

Legal basis and recommended action

The police have proposed that the listed properties be seized under Section 107 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023 and that proceedings be initiated to distribute recovered assets rateably among victims.

Authorities have also been requested to issue instructions to prevent any transfer or sale of the said properties pending investigation.

Impact and next steps

If administrative or judicial orders are issued to freeze and seize the properties, any registration or sale of these assets will be stayed and legal processes will follow to secure relief for victims.

The SIT will continue detailed scrutiny of bank transactions, registry records and complaint files and may expand charges or recommend further arrests as evidence emerges.

Administrative circulation

The press note was sent by the Inspector General, Kumaon Range, Nainital to the District Magistrate, Nainital. Copies have been forwarded to the Additional Director General of Police (Crime & Law and Order), Uttarakhand and the Commissioner, Kumaon Division for information and necessary action.

The SIT chairman has been instructed to coordinate with concerned police stations and departments to pursue prompt and effective action.

Note: Due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation, the police have withheld certain details. Final action on property distribution and related matters will follow court orders and administrative directives.

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