LAND MAFIA’S EMPIRE FLOURISHES UNDER THE NOSE OF THE GOVERNMENT

LAND MAFIA’S EMPIRE FLOURISHES UNDER THE NOSE OF THE GOVERNMENT

15-DEC-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA-----------------------How can the government provide justice to the poor, helpless, and weak when it is proving incapable of even protecting its own land? An empire of land mafias has been established right under the government's nose, and government land is being encroached upon rampantly. Instead of taking action, the officials in the system are busy flattering their superiors. The situation is such that land worth ten crore rupees is being seized and sold by land mafias every day, and illegal construction continues unabated. Although the work of illegal construction and land encroachment has been going on for the past 50 years, and cooperative society presidents and secretaries have become wealthy by selling government land through fraudulent means, and they are still in power today.

Three years ago, under the leadership of the then District Magistrate, the district police and administration demolished 56 houses using bulldozers. The district administration did not follow the proper procedure for the action, which was declared illegal by the Honorable Patna High Court. The court ordered the owners of the 56 demolished houses to be given Rs. 5 lakh each as compensation and directed them to file a case in the lower court for a higher amount. The government filed a petition in the double bench. The double bench, after hearing the case, gave a judgment maintaining the status quo, which is currently pending. The 56 houses that were demolished on 40 acres of land have now been replaced by 500-600 houses. How this happened is a question, and answering it is not easy.

Upon receiving information about illegal construction, the Housing Board officials have been continuously filing cases. The land mafias get bail and then resume buying and selling land and engaging in illegal construction. The current Executive Engineer of the Housing Board stated that when they are caught working, an FIR is filed against them, and they are sent to jail. After the FIR, it is the police's responsibility to ensure that no illegal construction takes place on the land. However, if they are caught working again, another FIR is filed. Regarding how construction continues even after an FIR is filed, the executive engineer says you can ask the police this question. I have recently filed 35 cases.

The Honorable High Court has imposed a ban on new construction, yet illegal construction is proceeding unchecked, both in broad daylight and under the cover of darkness. After a case is filed, the DSP instructs the case investigating officer to recommend to the Housing Board that encroachment proceedings be initiated against the said illegal construction. However, the instructions given during the supervision have not been followed to date. It remains merely a paper exercise.