Gonda: A major government land encroachment case in Gonda has reached a breakthrough following strict action and strong legal follow-up by 2010-batch IAS officer and Devi Patan Division Commissioner Durga Shakti Nagpal. A person who had allegedly occupied government Nazul land for nearly 30 years has vacated the property and withdrawn his case from the court.
The land, reserved for the Commissioner’s Office and its building, had remained tied up in litigation for decades. The administration also investigated a claim that a school was being operated on the disputed property and reportedly found no students or teachers at the site.
30-Year-Old Nazul Land Dispute Finally Resolved
The matter concerns Nazul Plot Nos. 514, 515, 524 and 525 in Gonda, which are reserved for the Commissioner’s Office and its building.
The dispute had been pending in court since 1997. Although a stay order was reportedly obtained in 2008, the occupation of the government land continued.
The case became more complicated after contempt proceedings were initiated in the High Court against Commissioner Durga Shakti Nagpal following an alleged phone call.
However, Nagpal continued to pursue the matter and took a direct interest in reviewing the government’s records and strengthening the administration’s legal position.
Key Developments
- The disputed plots are government Nazul land reserved for the Commissioner’s Office.
- The case had been pending since 1997.
- A stay order was obtained in 2008.
- The administration reviewed government records related to the property.
- The occupant eventually withdrew his court case and vacated the land.
- The government has now secured the property for its designated purpose.
Administration Investigates Claim of School on Government Land
The occupant, advocate Dayanand Mishra, had reportedly claimed that a school was being operated on the disputed government land as part of his justification for occupying the property.
Following directions from Commissioner Durga Shakti Nagpal, an administrative team conducted an inspection of the site.
According to the information provided by officials, the inspection found no students or teachers at the location, raising questions over the claim that a functioning school was being operated there.
The inspection became an important part of the administration’s efforts to establish the actual status of the property.
Dayanand Mishra Withdraws Case and Vacates Property
Following the administration’s action and investigation, Dayanand Mishra reportedly approached the court and withdrew his case.
He subsequently vacated the disputed government land, bringing an end to an occupation that had continued for around three decades.
The development has allowed the administration to regain control of land that had been reserved for government use.
Durga Shakti Nagpal Says Government Land Must Be Protected
Commenting on the development, Commissioner Durga Shakti Nagpal said the Chief Minister’s intention is clear — government land must be protected and used in the public interest.
She said the dispute had continued for around 30 years but had finally been resolved, with the land now secured by the administration.
Nagpal further stated that the property would be used only for the government purpose for which it has been designated.
Government Land to Be Secured for Public Purpose
Following the petitioner’s withdrawal and vacation of the site, the administration’s next focus will be to secure the disputed plots and ensure their use for the purpose for which they were reserved.
Commissioner Durga Shakti Nagpal said that protection of government land and its use in the public interest remained a priority. She also said the nearly three-decade-old matter had now reached a stage where the government land had been freed from the reported encroachment.
The latest development brings a significant chapter in the long-running Gonda Nazul land dispute closer to closure, although the related court proceedings concerning the earlier telephone interaction remain a separate legal matter.
