Kanpur. The roles of former Urban Ceiling Department junior engineer Ashok Mishra and clerk Ashutosh Pradhan have emerged in the investigation into the alleged diversion and subsequent use and sale of around 31 bighas of government land in Maswanpur, estimated to be worth approximately ₹250 crore. A probe committee has found both officials responsible for releasing around 8,000 square metres of urban ceiling land without obtaining the required government and administrative approvals. Both officials have since retired. Based on the inquiry report, departmental action has been recommended against them to the Director, Urban Ceiling.
The case involving the valuable government land in Maswanpur came under renewed scrutiny after nearly 16 years when the Commissioner’s Court cancelled a mutation order passed by the judicial Naib Tehsildar. The court also directed that an FIR be registered against the father and son allegedly involved in the matter, along with concerned officials and employees. Following the judicial action, the administration began the process of determining individual responsibility in the case.
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The Additional District Magistrate (Finance) constituted a joint inquiry committee headed by the Assistant Commissioner Magistrate (Sixth), with a Tehsildar and Naib Tehsildar as members, to determine responsibility. The committee examined documents related to the urban ceiling land, official orders and the process through which the land was released. During the detailed inquiry, it emerged that the mandatory government and administrative approvals required for releasing the land had not been obtained.
The inquiry committee treated the role of the then junior engineer and clerk as a serious irregularity. According to the report, around 8,000 square metres of urban ceiling land was released without the mandatory approvals at the stage for which the two officials were responsible. The committee held both responsible and recommended action against them.
Decision now rests with the Director
Since both officials have retired, the matter concerning further action against them has been referred to the Director, Urban Ceiling. Departmental action has been recommended on the basis of the inquiry report. The Director will now decide the nature of action to be taken against the two retired employees under the applicable rules.
The case concerns around 31 bighas of government land in Maswanpur, with an estimated value of approximately ₹250 crore. It has been alleged that the urban ceiling land was recorded in private names, after which a route was created for its subsequent use and sale. Following the Commissioner’s Court proceedings, an important part of the administrative investigation is now focused on the role of officials and employees involved in the land records and release process.
Mutation order cancelled after 16 years
The dispute over the mutation of the Maswanpur land had remained pending for years. Nearly 16 years later, the Commissioner’s Court cancelled the mutation order issued by the judicial Naib Tehsildar. The court also directed registration of an FIR against the father and son allegedly involved in the matter as well as the concerned officials and employees. The administration subsequently initiated a separate inquiry to determine the responsibility of government personnel.
The investigation found that approval from the District Magistrate and the government was an important requirement for releasing the urban ceiling land, but the prescribed permission had not been obtained. The role of the then junior engineer and clerk was determined on this basis. The administration is also examining other aspects related to the mutation, release of the land and any subsequent transactions involving the property.
High Court stay in place for now
Additional District Magistrate (Finance) Vivek Chaturvedi said that the High Court has currently stayed the Commissioner’s order. At the same time, the then junior engineer and clerk have been found responsible in the inquiry into the release of 8,000 square metres of urban ceiling land without the required approval. A recommendation for departmental action against both has been sent.
The case will now proceed on two fronts. The High Court’s proceedings will determine the status of the Commissioner’s order, while the Urban Ceiling Department will decide on the proposed action against the two retired employees. Further legal and departmental action will depend on the findings concerning the ownership, mutation, release process and other documents related to the disputed government land.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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