Editor’s Note
This report details a court-mandated action against alleged illegal construction on government land designated for a water body. An investigation has been ordered to determine how the land was registered privately.
Katni. The troubles for builder Praveen Bajaj Pappu are mounting in the case of illegal construction and building a boundary wall at the Rapta Nala in Khirhani. Following an order from the Collector’s Court, the Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) has issued a letter to the Tehsildar directing the demolition of the illegal construction and initiating an investigation into how government land designated for water (water body/nala) was registered in the name of a private landowner.
According to information, the builder has carried out illegal construction near the Rapta Nala in Khirhani and built a boundary wall. Under the cover of this wall, the throat of the Rapta Nala has been choked. While investigating the case, the then SDM Pradeep Mishra issued an order on August 16, 2024, for the removal of the illegal construction. After the order was issued, the administration began action to demolish the illegal structure, but the action could not proceed further due to high water levels in the nala. Subsequently, the builder filed an appeal against the SDM’s order in the Collector’s Court. Upon deliberation, the Collector’s Court found that the appellant had constructed the boundary wall without prior permission, which altered the form of the nala, and such construction without competent permission is illegal. The court dismissed the appeal and upheld the SDM’s order. The SDM was ordered to remove the illegal construction immediately.
The Collector’s Court observed that in the Halqa Patwari’s report, it was recorded that Khasra No. 442, area 0.36 acres, is registered under the ‘water’ head according to the Misal record of 1907-08, and the nala is mentioned in the remarks. Currently, the nala is wide. There is no mention of any court case number or order in the Khasra remarks regarding the change from government head ‘water-nala’ to a private landowner. Therefore, the SDM has been directed to conduct a detailed investigation into how government land under the ‘water’ head was registered in the name of a private landowner and submit an investigation report within 15 days.
The builder had filed a petition in the High Court against the orders of the Collector and SDM courts, seeking a stay. However, recently, the court heard the matter and did not grant a stay. The court has, however, ordered the issuance of notices to the respondents and sought their reply.
Pramod Chaturvedi, SDM, Katni
