2 acre govt land worth ₹50-L sold illegally

IN 1958, RAJASTHAN GOVERNMENT HAD PAID COMPENSATION AND ACQUIRED THE LAND FOR A CANAL, BUT OFFICIALS FAILED TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP TO THE GOVERNMENT

FARIDKOT : Around two acre of government land in Faridkot has been sold off illegally by a family that had received compensation by the government when it acquired the land for the construction of a canal in 1958.

The property in question pertains to a part of the land that was acquired by the Rajasthan government for the construction of a canal in 1956.

However, as the local officials failed to transfer the land to the government, despite paying compensation, the land remained registered in the name of the owner.

Taking advantage of this procedural lapse, family members of Sajan Singh, the owner, sold the land to Charanjit Kaur on October 17 at ₹20 lakh.

Documents accessed by Hindustan Times reveal that Sajan Singh was paid a compensation of ₹2,708 in 1958.

Presently, the land’s market value is estimated to be approximately ₹50 lakh.

Records show that six members of Sajan Singh’s family, including his wife and children, sold the government land.

Meanwhile, speaking to HT over phone, Yadwinder Singh, husband of Charanjit Kaur, said he wasn’t aware that the land belongs to the government and added that he will relinquish its ownership if the claim is established.

Tehsildar of Faridkot, RK Jain said somehow the officials failed to transfer the acquired land to the government.

“We will investigate the matter and if anyone is found guilty, action will be taken, as mandated by law.”

Sub-divisional magistrate of Faridkot, Gurjit Singh said the administration will investigate the matter soon.