Forced HC Registrar not to purchase land: BJP Mandal president arrested in alleged land Mafia case in Agartala

Rajib Saha, a BJP mandal president from the Barjala Assembly constituency in Agartala, was arrested by police on Saturday in connection with alleged land mafia activities under the jurisdiction of Airport Police Station.

According to police sources, Saha was taken into custody after hours of questioning by senior police officials for allegedly assaulting the personal security guard of the Registrar of the Tripura High Court and verbally abusing the Registrar.

As per the allegations, Saha is accused of backing a well-organised land-grabbing syndicate operating in areas such as Lichubagan, Barjala, Natunnagar and the Airport locality.

Sources said that the incident occurred when the Registrar of the Tripura High Court, Sankar Lal Datta, along with his personal guard, police constable Kunal Ghosh, visited the Patunagar area under Airport Police Station to purchase a plot of land. At that time, Rajib Saha, accompanied by a group of miscreants, allegedly arrived at the spot and obstructed the Registrar, reportedly abusing and warning him not to purchase the land without paying commission.

A heated altercation followed, during which Saha allegedly physically assaulted constable Kunal Ghosh. After the incident was reported, police personnel from Airport Police Station rushed to the spot and shifted the injured constable to GB Hospital for treatment.

Police later brought the accused to the police station and, after several hours of interrogation, arrested Rajib Saha. Sources claimed that the arrest was made despite alleged political interference aimed at settling the matter.

It may be recalled that the syndicate allegedly led by Rajib Saha had illegally occupied large stretches of khas land, canals, water bodies and other abandoned government properties. It is further alleged that forged documents were used to sell these lands to unsuspecting buyers.

Sources also claimed that the syndicate routinely demanded commissions from land transactions and resorted to harassment and intimidation when payments were not made. The illegal activities were allegedly carried out by exploiting Saha’s political position and association with the BJP.