Indian police record statement of farmer nine years after his death

A police officer in Indian state of Madhya Pradesh recorded "statement" of a farmer nine years after his death while probing a case related to land scam.

According to Indian media, The blunder was exposed when the Deputy Superintendent of Police submitted the death certificate along with the "statement" to a court.

The Times of India reported that the case revolves around 800 acre agricultural land, owned by over 100 farmers, which was allegedly auctioned without their consent after they defaulted in repaying loans from local banks.

After receiving complains that the farmland — worth Rs 1,600 crore according to the collector's guidelines—was auctioned for a mere Rs 1.5 crore, the police registered a case in 2013 against several officials and people who purchased the land.

According to the police statement was recorded in 2013, but among the documents submitted by the police was another piece of paper — a death certificate, issued by Sagoni village panchayat, saying Radheylal died on August 16, 2004.