Police Conduct Raids at JD(U) MLA's Ancestral Village in Land-Grabbing Case
In a significant development, Gopalganj police on Monday executed raids at the ancestral village of JD(U) MLA Amarendra Kumar, popularly known as Pappu Pandey, as part of an investigation into a serious land-grabbing case. The police have secured non-bailable warrants against the MLA, his brother Satish Pandey, and a chartered accountant linked to the alleged crime.
Allegations of Forged Documents and Land Seizure Attempt
The accused are alleged to have attempted to illegally seize approximately 16 acres and 93 decimals of land located in Belwa village. According to police reports, this attempt involved the use of forged documents to facilitate the land grab. The case has drawn attention due to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the scale of the alleged fraud.
Extensive Police Operations and Search Efforts
Police teams initiated raids early in the morning, with one team arriving at the MLA's ancestral village, Naya Gaon Tulsia, around 6 AM. The search operation lasted nearly two hours before the team proceeded to a fuel station in Hathua, which is connected to the MLA, continuing their efforts to locate the accused. Additional raids were conducted in Motihari, East Champaran, as part of the coordinated police action.
Gopalganj SP Vinay Tiwari stated that two specialized police teams have been deployed specifically to arrest MLA Amarendra Kumar and his brother Satish Pandey. However, as police intensified their operations, both individuals reportedly went absconding, evading capture. The case centers on allegations of forcibly occupying land through the use of fake documents, with an FIR already registered at the Kuchaikote police station.
Background of the Complaint and Initial Police Response
The complaint was formally filed on April 1 by a resident of Semrao village under the jurisdiction of Mirganj police station. The complainant alleged that the land in question is owned by Kiran Sinha and that individuals associated with the MLA broke the locks of five rooms on the property, replacing them with new locks. Further serious allegations include firing incidents with intent to kill, prompting the victim to immediately inform the police.
Upon receiving the complaint, police swiftly responded by reaching the spot, where they detained some of the accused while others managed to flee. To date, four individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. The court issued the non-bailable warrants on Saturday after police submitted a detailed report indicating that the primary accused were absconding.
MLA's Asset Declarations and Criminal Record
According to his affidavit, MLA Amarendra Kumar has declared assets worth approximately Rs 5 crore. He and his wife, Ranju Pandey, are partners in a construction company, with the MLA owning movable assets valued at around Rs 3 crore and immovable assets worth Rs 2 crore. His wife holds movable assets of Rs 41 lakh and immovable assets worth Rs 1 crore. Additionally, the MLA has Rs 9 lakh in cash, while his wife has Rs 4 lakh.
The affidavit further reveals that Pandey owns commercial property valued at Rs 1 crore, and his wife owns property of similar value. He possesses land at multiple locations across Gopalganj and owns six vehicles along with a tanker. Notably, the MLA has been named in 14 criminal cases, including several serious charges, with multiple cases still pending in court. His brother, Satish Pandey, also has links to criminal cases and is currently out on bail.
The ongoing investigation highlights the complexities of land disputes and alleged corruption involving political figures, with police continuing their efforts to trace and apprehend the accused in this high-stakes case.
