Questions raised over exchange of valuable land along Gonda-Lucknow National Highway; former SDM had denied signing the original order
Gonda: The Additional Commissioner (Administration-II) Court has passed an important order in a long-pending case involving the exchange of valuable Gram Sabha land in Narayanpur Majha village of Karnailganj tehsil in Gonda district. The decision was delivered on October 28, 2026, following directions from Divisional Commissioner Durga Shakti Nagpal to strengthen the protection of public property and ensure lawful action in cases involving government land.
The case concerns the exchange of Gram Sabha land, recorded as barren land, new fallow land and pasture, with land belonging to private account holders. The disputed property includes valuable land located along the Gonda-Lucknow National Highway.
Serious questions were raised over the legality of the exchange, particularly because some of the private plots offered in return were recorded in revenue documents as river land, floodplain (khadar) and fallow land. The suitability and legality of exchanging such plots for valuable public land became a major point of dispute.
Another significant aspect of the case involved the alleged forgery of signatures on the exchange order dated July 19, 1996. The then Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Karnailganj, Gyan Prakash Awasthi, had reportedly denied signing the order. In a letter dated August 16, 2003, he stated that the signatures appearing on the relevant order and case records were not his and had been forged.
An inquiry report submitted by the Karnailganj Tehsildar on July 31, 2003, had also described the exchange order as illegal.
During the proceedings, issues relating to the Gram Sabha’s right to a proper hearing, compliance with the prescribed legal procedure for land exchange and protection of public property were raised before the court.
Divisional Government Counsel V.P. Tiwari presented the case on behalf of the state government and the Gram Sabha.
After hearing the revision petition filed under Section 333 of the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950, the Additional Commissioner (Administration-II) Court, presided over by Rajesh Kumar Yadav, delivered its final order on October 28, 2026.
The proceedings were initiated in line with Divisional Commissioner Durga Shakti Nagpal’s directions to the district administration to take action concerning the government property and ensure its protection from unauthorised occupation.
The divisional administration has also emphasised regular scrutiny of revenue records, transparency in matters involving government land and timely legal action to protect Gram Sabha assets across all districts of Devipatan Division.
The case is being viewed as an important step towards safeguarding public land and ensuring that revenue transactions involving community-owned property comply with the law.
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