Home / Crime and Justice / IAS Officer Gets Bail in Rs 310 Crore Scam
IAS Officer Gets Bail in Rs 310 Crore Scam
14 Oct
Summary
- IAS officer Avinash Pathak granted bail in Rs 310 crore land compensation scam.
- Court noted probe completion and trial's likely duration.
- Allegations involve inflated compensation and backdated documents.
The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court has granted regular bail to IAS officer Avinash Pathak, who was detained since May 7, 2026, in relation to an alleged Rs 310 crore land acquisition compensation scam in Beed district.
Justice Sushil M Ghodeswar noted that the investigation against Pathak is complete, and the trial is expected to proceed slowly. Pathak, formerly Beed collector, was arrested on charges including the Prevention of Corruption Act and Arbitration and Conciliation Act.
The case involves allegations of manipulated arbitration cases between March and April 2025, where land compensation for national highway projects was purportedly increased from Rs 68.6 crore to Rs 310.2 crore. Pathak allegedly signed orders retrospectively after his transfer.
Chargesheets have been filed against 12 accused individuals. Pathak's defense argued a lack of evidence of pecuniary benefit, while the prosecution cited his role as a principal accused. The court, however, emphasized that pre-trial incarceration should not be punitive and granted bail with conditions.
