Former revenue minister Eknath Khadse could be in trouble over another land issue. Social activist Anjali Damania has claimed Mr Khadse illegally authenticated the purchase of land at a prime location in Wada tehsil by Viraj Profile industries.
Revenue officials had concluded that the purchase was invalid, but Mr Khadse voided the order of a lower quasi-judicial court of revenue officers on the ground that it had no authority and it had violated the law of natural justice.
Documents available with this newspaper revealed that Niraj Kochar, chairman of Viraj Profile Group, and 21 relatives purchased 254.30 hectares of land at Amgaon in Wada tehsil of Palghar district on May 30 2006. Except 70 acres, which was encroached upon by tribals, the plot is barren agricultural land and it was resold several times to various people before Mr Kochar purchased the land.
After an inquiry by the sub-divisional officer (SDO), the Wada tehsildar called Mr Kochar and other 21 purchasers to prove they were farmers. According to Shyamsunder Patil, additional collector and an expert on the Land Revenue Act, Section 63 of the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act 1948 states, ‘No sale, gift exchange or lease of any agricultural land shall be valid in favour of person who is not an agriculturist.’
Mr Kochar and his family had submitted proof of their being farmers from Karnataka, which was in Kannada, and its certified English translation from the high court. However, according to the SDO’s order, the certified translation copy should be verified by the local collector. The SDO in his report said he had given Mr Kochar several chances to prove he was really a farmer, but he failed to do so. Hence, on August 30 2011, the SDO cancelled the sell-purchase deed and issued an order that the land be transferred to the name of the state government. Mr Kochar challenged the order to the additional collector and divisional revenue commissioner. Mr Kochar finally filed an appeal to the revenue minister in 2015.
Ms Damania said, “Mr Kochar failed to prove he was a farmer and the most important thing is that he purchased land for farming and later asked permission for setting up a steel products SEZ... Khadse has misinterpreted the SC order and favoured Mr Kochar.”
Mr Khadse said, “Being a quasi-judicial magistrate, I had the right to cancel the lower court’s order.” Meanwhile, Shailendra Thakkar, managing director, Viraj Group, refused to speak on the legality of the ownership of the land. But he agreed that they had opted for further development.
