Murshidabad's illiterate woman accused of deceiving govt in 1.5 bigha land deal, HC petition filed

The Murshidabad district administration has accused Kamela Bibi, an illiterate woman, of deceiving the government in a land sale transaction. Nearly a year ago, Bibi sold approximately 1.5 bighas of land to the state government for its land reform program. The sale was intended to support the government's initiative to redistribute land. The transaction was finalized, and a new deed for the land was created, with all legal formalities seemingly completed. However, the district administration now alleges that Bibi misrepresented the amount of land sold, claiming that the land sold was in excess of what was necessary for the project.

The additional district magistrate (ADM) has alleged that Bibi sold more land than required for the land reform program, which has led to accusations of fraud. The administration claims that the excess land is no longer needed for the reform initiative, prompting them to seek the return of the extra land and the money paid for it. A letter has been issued to Bibi, demanding that she return half of the land along with the corresponding payment within seven days. The district administration has insisted that this issue be resolved within this timeframe, threatening legal action if Bibi fails to comply.

Bibi, who is being represented by lawyer Arindam Das, has vehemently denied the allegations. In a response, Das pointed out that the accusations were unlikely given Bibi’s illiteracy and lack of experience with legal or administrative processes. He further clarified that the law governing land transactions clearly states that once the government purchases land, refunds are not permissible. According to Das, this makes the district administration's demand for a refund of the money and return of the land legally unfeasible.

The legal team representing Bibi has already sent a counter-notice to the Murshidabad district administration, disputing the allegations. The lawyer has also warned that, if the matter is not resolved within the stipulated seven days, they will approach the Calcutta High Court. The district administration has set a deadline for the resolution, but Bibi's defense team questions the role of government officials, suggesting that the blame for the error, if any, lies with the administration rather than the illiterate woman.

Bibi’s family is left shocked by the allegations, as no concerns were raised about the transaction when it was completed. Furthermore, the defense argues that the land reform process should have undergone more rigorous checks and scrutiny, particularly considering the government's involvement. Meanwhile, the district administration is under pressure to resolve the issue swiftly, as the legal dispute could escalate further.