Kanpur District Magistrate Takes Strict Action Over Illegal Sale of Valuable Nazul Property
In a significant move to protect government assets, Kanpur Nagar District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh on Friday issued a government re-entry order for a prime Nazul property in Civil Lines that had been illegally sold to a private builder. The order directs that Plot No. 14/59A, Civil Lines, be re-registered as unallocated government land, effectively reclaiming it from private hands.
Investigation Uncovers Years of Violations
The matter came to light following a thorough joint investigation conducted by the sub-divisional magistrate (Sadar), assistant in-charge officer (Nazul), and tehsildar (Sadar). Their probe revealed a series of serious violations spanning decades.
According to the investigation findings, the Nazul allottees had neither paid lease rent nor renewed their leases for years, despite these being mandatory requirements under the Nazul Manual provisions. Shockingly, the land was subsequently sold to a third party without obtaining the necessary permission from the collector.
Historical Background and Fraudulent Transfer
Records indicate that the plot, located in Plot No. 3 of Nazul Block-14, was originally allotted in 1982 in the names of KC Beri, Tarang Beri, Neeraj Beri, and Vikas Beri. The Nazul Manual specifically stipulates that leases for building purposes are granted for limited periods and require mandatory renewal.
The investigation uncovered that the heirs of Sita Berry concealed crucial facts related to the Nazul lease when they executed a sale deed in favor of SA Builders Private Limited in 2012. This sale deed misleadingly presented the land as freehold property, a claim that found no support in government records.
District Magistrate's Firm Stance
In his detailed order, District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh clarified that selling Nazul land without depositing lease rent, without renewing the lease, and without obtaining collector permission constituted clear and serious violations of established rules. "This represents a systematic failure to comply with legal requirements governing government property," the order emphasized.
The district magistrate noted that through these actions, valuable government property located in the heart of the city had been illegally transferred and effectively destroyed as a public asset.
Valuation and Legal Basis for Re-entry
According to current circle rates, the land in question is valued at approximately Rs 24.77 crore, underscoring the significant financial implications of the illegal transfer.
Invoking the provisions of the Nazul Manual and acting on permission received from the government, the district magistrate ordered government re-entry into the plot in the public interest. This legal mechanism allows the government to reclaim control over properties where lease conditions have been violated.
Implementation and Future Management
As per the re-entry order, the land will now be formally registered again in the government account. Responsibility for its maintenance and control has been jointly assigned to the assistant in-charge officer (Nazul) and tehsildar (Sadar), ensuring proper oversight and preventing future irregularities.
This decisive action by the Kanpur district administration sends a strong message about the government's commitment to protecting public assets and enforcing property regulations strictly. The case highlights the importance of proper documentation and compliance with lease terms when dealing with government-owned properties.
