The Fight Against Land Mafia: Accountability and Justice in Lalganj, Mirzapur
The sanctity of ancestral property is not just a matter of financial value; it represents the heritage and security of a family. However, in many parts of Uttar Pradesh, this security is being threatened by a sophisticated “nexus” between local land mafias and administrative officials. A recent grievance filed by Shivam Gupta (Registration No: GOVUP/E/2025/0019036) highlights a distressing trend of land grabbing through deception, allegedly aided by the very individuals sworn to protect the public.
This case, centered in the Lalganj area of Mirzapur, serves as a critical case study on the challenges of enforcing the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the persistent struggle for transparency in local governance.
The Core of the Grievance: Criminal Breach of Trust and Cheating
At the heart of Mr. Gupta’s complaint is the allegation that his elderly parents were manipulated into signing documents to usurp their ancestral property. The complaint specifically invokes the new legal framework of India, citing the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, which replaced the Indian Penal Code.
Section 316 BNS: Criminal Breach of Trust
The complainant argues that the accused were entrusted with dominion over certain properties or legal processes and dishonestly misappropriated them. Under Section 316, criminal breach of trust occurs when someone violates a legal contract or direction of law to convert property for their own use. When this involves carriers or those in positions of trust, the law provides for imprisonment of up to seven years.
Section 318 & 319 BNS: Deception and Personation
The grievance further alleges “Cheating by Personation.” Under Section 318, cheating involves inducing a person to deliver property through deception. Section 319 goes further, addressing scenarios where individuals pretend to be someone else—or manipulate the identities of others—to gain access to assets. In this case, the allegation is that the offenders used fraudulent means to obtain signatures from the elderly, a classic example of “Scenario 5” under the BNS interpretations where the vulnerability of the victim is exploited.
The Alleged Nexus: When “The Fence Eats the Crop”
The most concerning aspect of the grievance is the naming of specific individuals, including a government official. The “nexus” described by the complainant suggests a tripartite alliance:
- Administrative Facilitation: The naming of Local Lekhpal Manmohan Kumar suggests that land records may have been manipulated or that official presence was used to legitimize a fraudulent transaction.
- The Beneficiaries: Individuals such as Rama Sankar Patel and his associates (Vinod Kumar and Dinesh Kumar) are alleged to be the primary movers behind the land grabbing.
- Police Inaction: The grievance explicitly mentions the Station House Officer (SHO) of Lalganj and the Circle Officer (C.O.) of Lalganj, alleging that they have overlooked these criminal acts due to “deep-rooted corruption” and a “fear-psychosis” that prevents officers from “belling the cat.
The Legal Obligation of the Police: The FIR Mandate
A common hurdle for victims of land grabbing is the refusal of the police to register a First Information Report (FIR), often labeling the matter as a “civil dispute.” However, as Mr. Gupta correctly points out, when there is clear evidence of cheating, forgery, and criminal breach of trust, the matter enters the realm of criminal law.
Under the prevailing laws of India, if a complaint discloses a cognizable offense, the police are legally bound to register an FIR. By failing to do so, the local police in Lalganj are not just ignoring a complaint; they are allegedly violating the directives of the Supreme Court regarding the mandatory registration of FIRs.
Corruption and the “Puppet of Honesty”
The grievance uses strong language, calling political masters “puppets of honesty” and describing a government machinery where transparency and accountability are missing. This sentiment reflects the frustration of many citizens who find themselves trapped between the local mafia and apathetic bureaucracy.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has repeatedly issued stern warnings against land mafias, establishing the “Anti-Land Mafia Portal” and directing officials to use the Gangsters Act against those who illegally occupy land. The complainant’s appeal to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat (forwarded to Shri Arvind Mohan, Joint Secretary) is a plea to bridge the gap between high-level policy and ground-level execution.
Procedural Timeline of the Grievance
- Date of Receipt: 27/02/2025
- Registration Number: GOVUP/E/2025/0019036
- Current Status: Forwarded to the Chief Minister Secretariat, Lucknow.
The forwarding of this grievance to the CM Secretariat is a significant step. It moves the matter out of the local Lalganj jurisdiction—where the alleged nexus exists—into the hands of state-level oversight. This provides a glimmer of hope for an independent inquiry into the actions of the Lekhpal and the SHO.
Conclusion: The Path Toward Justice
For Shivam Gupta and his family, this is not just about a piece of land; it is about the right to live without fear of being swindled by those in power. For the state of Uttar Pradesh, this case is a test of its resolve to crush the land mafia.
The path forward requires:
- An immediate independent inquiry by the District Magistrate or a high-ranking Police official from outside the Lalganj circle.
- The suspension of the Lekhpal involved, pending an investigation into the land record changes.
- The mandatory registration of an FIR under Sections 316, 318, and 319 of the BNS to allow for a formal criminal investigation.
The fight against corruption is long and arduous, but through persistent use of the grievance redressal system and public awareness, the “cats” of corruption can eventually be belled.
To ensure your grievance (Registration No: GOVUP/E/2025/0019036) is effectively pursued, you should engage with both the revenue and police authorities at the district and state levels.
Below are the structured contact details for the relevant public authorities as of early 2026.
1. State Level Authorities (Lucknow)
Since your grievance has been forwarded to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, these are your primary points of escalation for administrative oversight.
| Authority | Name/Office | Contact Number | Email Address |
| CM Secretariat | Shri Arvind Mohan (Joint Secretary) | 0522-2226350 | arvind.12574@gov.in |
| CM Helpline | Public Support Center | 1076 | – |
| IGRS Portal | Jansunwai UP | – | jansunwai.up.nic.in |
2. District Administration (Mirzapur)
The District Magistrate (DM) is the highest authority for revenue matters and oversees the conduct of Lekhpals and Tehsildars.
| Designation | Current Official | Mobile (CUG) | Email Address |
| District Magistrate | Shri Pawan Kumar Gangwar | 9454417567 | dmmir@nic.in |
| Addl. DM (Finance/Revenue) | Shri Ajay Kumar Singh | 9454417638 | admfr.mi-up@gov.in |
| Divisional Commissioner | Vindhyachal Division | 9454417505 | commmir@nic.in |
3. Police Department (Mirzapur)
For the registration of an FIR and addressing the “police-mafia nexus,” you should contact these senior officers who supervise the Lalganj Police Station.
| Designation | Name | Mobile (CUG) | Email Address |
| Superintendent of Police (SP) | Shri Somen Verma | 9454400299 | spmzr-up@nic.in |
| Addl. SP (City/Operations) | – | 9454401104 | asp-city.mi@up.gov.in |
| Circle Officer (C.O.) Lalganj | Shri Ashok Kumar Singh | 9454401592 | co-lalganj.mi@up.gov.in |
| DIG Vindhyachal Range | Shri Rakesh Prakash Singh | 9454400215 | digrmir@nic.in |
4. Tehsil & Local Level (Lalganj)
These officials have direct jurisdiction over the land records and the specific plot in question.
- SDM Lalganj: 9454417895
- Tehsildar Lalganj: 9454417905
- Nayab Tehsildar Lalganj: 9454416824 / 9454416827
- Police Station Lalganj (SHO): 9454403953 (Standard CUG for SHO Lalganj, Mirzapur)
Important Web Links for Monitoring
- Track Grievance Status: Jansunwai Status Track
- Official District Website: mirzapur.nic.in
- UP Police Complaint Portal: uppolice.gov.in
Note: When calling the CUG (Chief User Group) mobile numbers, it is advisable to call during office hours (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM). If they do not answer, send a formal WhatsApp message or SMS with your Grievance Registration Number for the record.
Would you like me to draft a formal email to the Superintendent of Police (SP) Mirzapur, specifically requesting the registration of an FIR based on the BNS sections you cited?
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