Fraud Case / Tehsildar Suspended over Land Fraud Case in Odisha

Nuapada, Aug 26: The Odisha government has taken strong action in a land fraud case, suspending Komna Tehsildar and Sub‑Registrar Sarbeswar Jaal.

The Revenue and Disaster Management Department issued the suspension order, directing that Jaal remain attached to the Northern RDC office during the suspension period. He has also been instructed not to leave headquarters without prior approval.

The order cites Rule‑90 of the Odisha Service Code, under which further disciplinary proceedings will follow.

This is the latest development in a case that has already seen the suspension of an Assistant Revenue Inspector (ARI) by the Nuapada District Collector and the transfer of a data entry operator. Now, the government has moved against the Tehsildar himself.

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The case involves land belonging to Satyanarayan Pradhani of Chandopala village. Records show he owned 4 acres and 40 decimals of agricultural land. When he approached the cooperative society with his land patta to apply for crop insurance, he discovered that his land had already been sold without his knowledge.

According to allegations, land accounts numbered 178/381, 178/382, and 178/383 were fraudulently transferred and sold to buyers including Parshuram Padhi of Belpada in Balangir district, Sanjay Kumar Agrawal of Patnagarh, and Birendra Saraf of Rampur. Shocked by the discovery, Satyanarayan lodged complaints with the administration and police.

Following intervention by district authorities, the land was restored to its rightful owner. However, the government has now acted against officials allegedly involved in the irregularities.

While disciplinary measures have been taken against revenue staff, no action has yet been initiated against the land brokers implicated in the fraud. Local residents and activists have demanded that police arrest those brokers and ensure accountability.

The suspension of the Komna Tehsildar underscores the government’s resolve to crack down on land fraud and protect farmers from exploitation. Officials have warned that further legal steps will follow as investigations continue.