A former Uttarakhand police constable has been named in a case linked to an alleged land grabbing and intimidation network linked to jailed gangster Praveen Valmiki, who is serving a prison term in connection with multiple criminal cases in the state.
According to police, Sher Singh, who was posted as a policeman at the time of the alleged incidents, was arrested in September 2025 after investigators found evidence suggesting his involvement in helping gang members intimidate a widow and her family in a disputed land case. He was later granted bail by the Uttarakhand High Court on 7 November 2025.
Allegations linked to jailed gangs
Praveen Valmiki, described as a chronicler of criminal cases registered in Haridwar and Dehradun, was allegedly running a gang involved in crimes including murder, attempt to murder, extortion, kidnapping and illegal land occupation, police said. Authorities alleged that the gang members, including Manish Paler, Sher Singh and Hassan Abbas Zaidi, worked together to intimidate local residents and illegally grab land.
Investigators said a widow from Roorkee became one of the group’s alleged victims. According to the complaint, the woman’s brother and brother-in-law had previously been shot by gang members, forcing her to leave Roorkee with her children out of fear.
During her absence, the disputed properties were occupied and subsequently sold through fraudulent means, the police alleged. When the woman learned of the deal, she and her children were allegedly threatened and pressured not to take legal action.
Police detail the role of the former cop
According to investigators, Sher Singh allegedly misused his position in the police force by maintaining contact with Valmiki while the gangster was lodged in Sitarganj jail and during his court appearance in Roorkee. The police claimed that the former policeman met the accused several times and participated in efforts to pressure the complainant and her family to withdraw the case.
Authorities also claimed that the woman was taken near the gangster during one of his court appearances and threatened. Investigators allege that members of the group later benefited from the sale of the disputed land.
Based on the complaint and evidence collected during the investigation, a case was registered at Gangnahar police station in Haridwar under provisions relating to cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy and intimidation. Police said Sher Singh was arrested on September 15, 2025, and sent to prison after what they described as sufficient evidence linking him to the case.
The matter remains under investigation, with authorities continuing to examine the gang’s alleged activities and the circumstances surrounding the disputed land deal.
