Minister Udayan Guha reprimands official over alleged land fraud in North Bengal

Allegations of Land Record Irregularities

Udayan Guha, Minister for North Bengal Development and MLA from Dinhata, sharply criticized a government official for alleged irregularities in land records during an inspection in Cooch Behar. The confrontation took place when Guha questioned the official about discrepancies in the khatian—the legal document certifying land ownership.

“How could such errors appear in the khatian, and why did no one correct them?” Guha demanded in front of several staff members and local residents.

According to witnesses, Guha accused the land department of negligence and suspected fraudulent activity in handling land ownership records. Local sources reported that some khatians had been altered to benefit certain individuals, prompting Guha to call for an immediate internal inquiry.

Call for Accountability

The minister urged departmental officers to take corrective steps and ensure transparency in land registration procedures. He warned that such instances damaged public trust in local governance and emphasized the need for strict administrative oversight.

Following the incident, local authorities began reviewing files related to the disputed land parcels. Senior district officials stated that any staff member found responsible for intentional manipulation of documents would face disciplinary action.

Public Reaction

Residents of the area welcomed Guha’s intervention, saying it exposed a long-standing problem of corruption within land administration offices. Many expressed hope that this public reprimand would push for more transparent handling of property documentation in the region.

“We have been complaining for years about these land issues. It is good that someone finally paid attention,” said one local farmer.

Author’s summary:
Udayan Guha publicly confronted a Cooch Behar land official over suspected document fraud, demanding accountability and a review of property record practices.

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Telegraph India Telegraph India — 2025-11-26

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