Mafias selling government land sans documents in Cuttack!

Dhabaleswar Gada locality of CDA in Cuttack City is witnessing a distressing trend of illegal land deals, with unscrupulous individuals selling government lands sans documentation. These brokers lure unsuspecting buyers by offering plots at prices ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 Lakh.

Despite Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC)’s knowledge of these activities, there seems to be little intervention. Disturbing footage captured by OTV shows how these transactions are executed brazenly. The entire process of a land deal was captured on video.

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The brokers operate without fear, often taking advance payments from buyers for land supposedly owned by them. They also grant permission for construction once deals are finalised. However, if buyers cannot meet financial demands, these brokers allegedly in cahoots with certain CMC officials demolish partly constructed homes.

A victim named Prabhat Pani, claims he paid Rs 5 Lakh for a plot at Dhabaleswar Gada, only to be removed from the patch of land after failing to pay an additional amount of Rs 2 Lakh. Consequently, the mafias demolished his incomplete house, leaving him in distress.

Another individual, Trinath Ojha, faced similar issues with the brokers’ high-handed tactics.

Frustrated by their experiences, both Pani and Ojha have lodged separate complaints at Phase 2 Police Station. However, no action has been taken by the local police yet. Their plight highlights a more significant problem: for years, land mafias have been usurping government lands in Dhabaleswar Gada, depriving especially the impoverished locals.

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“Why someone will sell government land? No one has the right to sell those. If anyone is collecting money or selling lands, that has not come to my knowledge. Action will be taken after a probe when any written complaint is made,” CMC Commissioner Anam Charan Patra said when contacted.

Ambitious ‘Jaga Mission’, which is being implemented by the Cuttack civic authorities, initially aimed to provide land to the displaced poor.

However, it appears some government officials may have been complicit, allowing land to be illegally segmented and sold.

Despite the known presence of these brokers, the municipal authorities claim they have not received official complaints or initiated any inquiries.