2 acre land grabbed in Rangpur town

They have taken possession of the 'vested property' in Bhogi area while a case over it is pending with court, sources said.

On April 25, they took possession of the land bearing khatian No: 694 after securing a letter (memo no. VP 173- 186), issued from the Deputy Commissioner's office on April 21.

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Sources at the district Land Settlement Office said the land belonged to a Hindu family. After the partition in 1947, the family left the country for India. Since then the land was marked as 'vested property'.

One Shishuma Rani claiming herself a descendant, had claimed the property. But government denied her claim and leased the property to one Rabea Begum.

Shishuma Rani lodged a case against the government, which is yet to be disposed of, the sources said.

When contacted, Rangpur Sadar Upazila Land Settlement Officer said that on behalf of the Assistant Commissioner (Land) he handed over the land to the 14 people who applied for lease in perpetuity.

Eleven of the lessees occupied .09 acre each and the rest three took possession of .05 acre each, the sources said.

The sources said a section of corrupt officials at the Land Settlement Office were involved in the lease process.

The Assistant Commissioner (Land) however contradicted the statement of the Land Officer. He said he did not issue any order in this regard. The Deputy Commissioner's office is the sole authority to lease any vested property, he said.

The sources said the land was leased as per an order from the office of the Assistant Deputy Commissioner (ADC Land). But as per rule, the DC's office is the sole authority to lease lands.

ADC Land Abu Taleb when contacted said the government leased the land as per rule. He said the 14 people got the land as per a 'will' by Rabeya Begum. Law was not violated in the process, the ADC said.

To this, the sources said Rabeya Begum has no authority to 'will' the land as she only leased it but did not own it. The DC's office is the sole authority in this regard, they said.

When contacted, Shishuma Rani claimed that her three brothers willed their land in her favour before leaving the country. "Since then I possessed the land".

She said, she lodged a case with Rangpur Judge Court in

1985 when the government leased the land to Rabea Begum. After 24 days, the court declared the lease invalid.

The government made an appeal to the Judge Court.

From 1985 to 2003, Shishuma Rani got the verdict in her favour twice and the government also own the case twice, she said.

As the latest verdict went in favour of the government, she appealed to the High Court. The case is yet to be disposed, Shishuma said.