In Bahraich district, the stark contrast between administrative seriousness and chaotic lawlessness was on full display inside and outside the collectorate premises simultaneously. While the newly appointed District Magistrate was busy conducting an intense review meeting with administrative officials inside the conference hall, a bizarre and high-voltage drama unfolded right outside the collectorate regarding a contentious land registry deal. The entire dispute revolves around a four-year-old land transaction and a financial exchange worth fifteen lakh rupees, creating a massive stir across the local administration. The most shocking aspect of this entire episode was that while this dramatic showdown was taking place in such a sensitive high-security zone, the police force deployed there remained absolute mute spectators without intervening.
Four-year-old deal and High Court stay
At the heart of this controversy is a land deal initiated four years ago by a resident of Ghulam Alipura. According to the victim, he had struck a deal for a plot of land situated in Chakujot valued at a total of twenty-two lakh rupees. Under this agreement, he had advanced fifteen lakh rupees to the landowner Girja, son of Murtaja. However, a legal hurdle existed as a status quo stay order from the High Court was actively in effect on the disputed land. Both parties had mutually agreed that the moment the court stay was lifted, the remaining balance would be paid off and the official sale deed registry would be completed.
The spark that ignited the Registry dispute
The victim has leveled serious allegations that on the seventeenth day of the month, the High Court finally lifted the stay order on the property. However, instead of honoring the original commitment to transfer the land to the victim, the landowner allegedly conspired behind closed doors to get the registry executed in favor of a completely different party. The most surprising twist in the tale was that the new party acquiring the land turned out to be the victim's own maternal uncle and his wife, Meena Devi, along with husband Banke Lal. When the victim caught wind of this backdoor maneuver through the registrar's office, he rushed directly to the spot.
Tussle outside the Collectorate and police inaction
As soon as the victim reached the registrar's office near the collectorate, heated arguments, verbal sparring, and intense pulling and pushing began between the two factions. Seeing the commotion escalate rapidly, a large crowd of onlookers gathered around the spot. Despite the heavy deployment of police personnel for collectorate security, the officers preferred to remain silent spectators rather than intervening or defusing the situation. The victim maintained that he holds no personal enmity against Girja or his uncle, stating that if his maternal uncle is purchasing the land, he should at least be refunded his principal amount along with interest totaling approximately 6.63 lakh rupees, or else the land should be deeded to him as promised. Taking advantage of police laxity and the mounting chaos, the accused party quietly slipped away from the location.
Collectorate premises turns into a talking point
This entire incident occurred precisely at the time when the newly appointed District Magistrate was presiding over a crucial meeting with senior district officials inside the collectorate auditorium. Within the exact same compound, administrative seriousness prevailed on one side while a public street-style tussle over land played out right in front of active police presence, making it the talk of the town throughout the day. Following the incident, the victim has lodged a formal complaint at the registrar's office, demanding either the full refund of his invested money or the rightful transfer of the disputed land.
