Gujarat
,
Old Pahadia
,
Gandhinagar
Published :
Dec 2024
|
Updated :
October 20, 2024
Entire village sold in Gujarat's Gandhinagar, residents seek justice
Reported by
Suchak Patel
Legal Review by
Anmol Gupta
Edited by
Anupa Kujur
88
Households affected
600
People affected
Year started
15
ha.
Land area affected
88
Households affected
600
People Affected
Year started
15
Land area affected
Key Insights
Sector
Land Use
Reason/Cause of conflict
Other Kind of Land Use
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
Sector
Land Use
Reason/Cause of conflict
Other Kind of Land Use
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
1
Summary

Gujarat's Dehgam taluka is at the center of a state-wide controversy following the revelation that the entire village of Old Pahadia, with a population of 600, has been sold. The village, situated on Block Survey No. 142 (Old Survey No. 6), has been home to residents for over 50 years. 

Upon discovering the sale, villagers submitted a complaint to the Mamlatdar requesting to conduct an inquiry. Villagers also demanded the cancellation of the sale deed as the documents are fraudulent. 

The villagers alleged a collusion between government officials and the accused of forging documents and fabricating the records using incorrect photographs, figures, and maps. In response, the village head office lodged a formal complaint, seeking justice and demanding the cancellation of the fraudulent document. 

Vishal Manibhai Choudhary, serving as Dehgam sub-registrar, filed a police complaint against the sale deed of new survey no. 142 and old survey no. 106 of old Pahadia village.

According to media reports, land measuring 14,597 square meters was sold by the accused under the names of present petitioners in the years 1982, 1987 and 2003 by deed with stamp paper and plain text and under warranty deed on stamp paper of 50 for Rs 2 crore. The entire village is situated on this survey number which is known as Old Pahadia.

While selling the land, the accused did not mention about 80 houses in this village and did not show their photos. The process was completed by submitting photos of the open land based on the survey number.

A case has been registered against eight persons under sections of the Criminal Conspiracy and Registration Act at Rakhiyal police station.

Those implicated include Kantaben Bhikhaji Jhala, Kokilaben Bhikhaji Jhala, Vinodkumar Bhikhaji Jhala, Paliben Jashuji Jhala, Jayendrakumar Jashuji Jhala, Nehaben Jasuji Jhala, a minor, and Alpesh Lalji Hirpara from Jasdan, Rajkot.

So far, the police have arrested two accused - Bhikhaji Jhala and Jayendrakumar Jashuji Jhala. Both the accused were produced in the court by the police and they have been granted five days remand. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused had fixed a land deal for Rs 2 crore with a land buyer named Alpesh Hirpara from Jasdan. 

As the police investigation unfolds, the villagers of Old Pahadia continue their fight for justice, striving to reclaim the land of their forefathers amidst growing legal and social battles.

2
Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for legal recognition of land rights

Complaint against procedural violations

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Common and Private

Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Residential area, Agricultural land, Non-agri rural enterprise

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

Type of investment:

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

4
Additional Information

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

5
Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Legal Supporting Documents

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Author
Reported by
Suchak Patel
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Fact sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for legal recognition of land rights

Complaint against procedural violations

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Residential area, Agricultural land, Non-agri rural enterprise

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

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