Nuapada: The state government has suspended a tehsildar and an additional revenue inspector (ARI)-cum-dealing clerk following an inquiry into the alleged fraudulent sale of 4.40 acres of land in Chandopala village under Komna tehsil without the knowledge or consent of the actual owners.
Komna tehsildar Sarbeswar Jal and ARI Ramanath Mishra were suspended after an inquiry found alleged lapses in the handling and verification of the disputed land transaction.
According to the complaint, the 4.40 acres of land belonging to Satya Narayan Pradhani and his sister Kumudini Pradhani was sold by some unidentified persons who impersonated the landowners at Komna sub-registrar’s office.
The alleged fraud came to light when the owners went to register their names for selling paddy and found that their land records were no longer appearing under their names.
Following their complaint, Additional Collector Subash Chandra Raet conducted an inquiry and submitted his report to the district administration.
Based on the report, the administration initially transferred Komna sub-registrar’s office data-entry op erator Sanischar Behera to Boden sub-registrar’s office and Mishra from his dealing clerk position.
Acting on the recommendation of Nuapada Collector Madhusudan Das for further action, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department suspended Jal through letter No. 36053, issued Tuesday.
During the suspension, he will remain attached to the office of the Northern Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Sambalpur, and can not leave the headquarters without prior permission.
Mishra was suspended by the Collector through letter No. 11045, issued Tuesday evening.
The order, based on the Additional Collector’s inquiry report, cited dereliction of government duty and failure in preventing Aadhaar-related fraud during the land transaction.
He has been attached to the Boden tehsil office and cannot leave headquarters without permission.
The administrative action has also raised questions over the alleged role of middlemen in the land fraud.
Despite a written complaint reportedly being lodged at Komna police station, no significant action has been taken so far, according to the complainants
. With two revenue officials now facing suspension, attention has turned to the alleged brokers and other persons involved in the fraudulent transaction.
Local residents are demanding a thorough police investigation to establish how the land was allegedly sold using impersonation and whether others were involved in the process.