A year and nine months later, all that the STF has managed was two first information reports (FIRs) against Sharma. Speaking to Express Newsline today, STF's DCP R.L.Meena said that his team reached a deadend after it failed to gather enough evidence to nail Sharma. Apparently, Sharma produced documents -- which the complainants say are forged -- to substantiate his claim of ownership of both the properties. DCP Meena added that the investigations would soon be handed to the Crime Branch.

Significantly, in May last year -- less than four months after the STF began its investigations -- key officials in the team were transferred. Meena said the transfers were ``routine''.

Asked why a crack team like the STF failed to make any headway in the cases, Meena said the complainants had failed to produce adequate evidence about against Sharma. He did not explain why checking the complainants' claim that Sharma's documents were forgeries should take so long.

Meena believes that the investigations might consume more time, ``as we have to check the authenticity of the signatures which the complainants claim that they are forged signatures''.

Disillusioned by the STF, Subba lodged an FIR at the Mehrauli Police station in August this year. In the FIR, Subba states he had leased the basement of the farmhouse to Sharma at the rate of Rs.2000 per month in 1990. According to the lease agreement, Sharma had to return the possession of the basement after the completion of his project. When the prescribed months passed, Sharma refused to give the basement back and instead grabbed the farmhouse, the FIR states.