Didi gives Amartya his land proof

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday personally handed over to Nobel laureate Prof. Amartya Sen the land documents of his ancestral residence, Pratichi, at Shantiniketan in Bolpur of Birbhum during a visit and also announced a Zplus security cover from the state government to him.

The Trinamul Congress supremo rushed to stand by the eminent economist after the Visva Bharati authorities accused him of occupying the central university's land of 13 decimals illegally for decades and threatened him of legal steps.

Banerjee told Prof. Sen, “What they are claiming is false. Here is the original land record of the state government which I brought only after conducting a survey. The allegation of illegal occupation is wrong. I was deeply hurt by the way they dishonored you.”

She added, “You do not need to worry. You are a free thinker. No one has the right to insult you.” Prof. Sen thanked Banerjee for her efforts.

The Chief Minister then ordered state DGP Manoj Malviya to provide the Zplus category security cover to Prof Sen and also make a police outpost at his address.

A press note from state secretariat, Nabanna, stated, “Joint Registrar has sent a letter to Prof. Amartya Sen on January 24, 2023 alleging that Prof. Sen was allotted long term lease of 1.25 acres and is now in illegal occupation of 13 decimals of land belonging to Visva Bharati.”

It added, “The state government has checked all the old land records from CS to LR. It is seen that from the old land records (CS, RS and LR) maintained with the state government Sh Ashutosh Sen (father of Prof. Sen) has been given long term lease of 1.38 acres and not 1.25 acres as alleged by Visva Bharati. Therefore, Prof. Sen has not illegally occupied any additional land as alleged by Visva Bharati.”