Biharsharif: Construction work for a proposed gas godown near S S Balika Uchcha Vidyalaya in Biharsharif was stopped after revenue officials found the land was allegedly part of a graveyard and classified as government land.
Land Dispute Erupts
The controversy surfaced after objections were raised over the alleged lease of nearly 2,200 square feet of land by the officiating secretary of Soghra Waqf Estate to former deputy mayor Shankar Kumar for setting up a Bharat Gas storage facility. The lease agreement sparked immediate backlash from local residents and community leaders who claimed the land was historically part of a kabristan (graveyard) and recorded as gair aam mazarua, meaning government land.
Revenue Officials Step In
Biharsharif circle officer Prabhat Ranjan reached the spot after receiving complaints and ordered the work to be stopped. He sought land-related documents from both parties involved. According to Ranjan, a preliminary inquiry suggested that the land in question indeed belonged to a kabristan and was classified as government land. The official further stated that any construction on such land would be illegal without proper clearance from the revenue department.
Conflicting Claims
Shankar Kumar, the former deputy mayor, claimed he had entered into a valid lease agreement after being provided all relevant documents by the estate authorities. He maintained that he had followed due process and had no intention of violating any laws. On the other hand, the estate mutawalli (manager) Mukhtar Alam refused to speak to reporters, leaving questions about the legality of the lease unanswered.
Soghra Waqf Estate Under Scrutiny
Soghra Waqf Estate, registered with the Bihar State Sunni Waqf Board, has frequently remained in controversy over issues related to property management and administrative decisions. Recently, allegations surfaced that officials had appointed teaching and non-teaching staff without following prescribed norms. Additionally, several community leaders claimed that the committee was continuing beyond its tenure, raising concerns about governance.
Considered among Bihar’s major waqf estates, Soghra Waqf Estate owns educational institutions, markets, commercial complexes, and agricultural land in Biharsharif. It also has properties in Patna, Sheikhpura, Muzaffarpur, and Samastipur districts, valued at several hundred crore rupees. The estate's vast holdings have often been a source of disputes, with various groups demanding greater transparency in its management.
Previous Controversies
The estate has been in the news for other reasons as well. Aziziya Madrassa, which was burnt down during the 2023 communal violence, was later reconstructed by the state government at a cost of Rs 18 crore. The incident highlighted the sensitive nature of religious properties in the region and the need for careful handling of such assets.
As the investigation continues, the fate of the proposed gas godown remains uncertain. The revenue department is expected to submit a detailed report soon, which will determine whether the lease was legal or if further action is needed. Meanwhile, local residents have welcomed the halt in construction, expressing relief that their concerns were taken seriously.
