Shahinur Rahman Sona, Rajshahi

A Tahsildar in Rajshahi was transferred shortly after reports published by The Country Today and several other media outlets alleged that he had torn pages from official government registers. A video of the incident later went viral on social media, triggering widespread public discussion.

The transfer, however, has raised questions over why the official was reassigned instead of facing disciplinary proceedings, being asked to explain his actions, or being subjected to any formal punitive measures. The incident has fueled speculation in Rajshahi, with some questioning whether the transfer was influenced by higher authorities or powerful individuals. No official explanation has been provided by the authorities concerned.

According to allegations, a land-related application at the Boalia Land Office was decided without granting both parties a proper hearing. The aggrieved party appealed to the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), who stayed the order. The first party later appealed to the Additional Divisional Commissioner (Revenue), who also suspended the earlier order and scheduled a hearing for July 7.

Despite the matter remaining under appeal and the previous order being stayed, Tahsildar Saiful allegedly reactivated the disputed land holding record. When journalists questioned him about the action, he reportedly reversed the decision by closing the holding again and tore instruction pages from three official government register books. Video footage of the incident subsequently circulated widely on social media.

Saiful claimed that he had acted on verbal instructions from his superior. However, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Rahatul Karim Mizan denied issuing any such instruction. Other senior officials declined to comment on the matter. Following the publication of the reports and the circulation of the video, Saiful was transferred.

Meanwhile, the complainant, Mosammat Rekha, alleged that Asadullah Ding, an heir of the late Sujauddoula, filed Miscellaneous Case No. 74/13/2024-25 before the Assistant Commissioner (Land), Borokuthi, seeking cancellation of the mutation of her 37 kathas of land in Sapura Mouza under Boalia Police Station and requesting mutation of the same land, along with additional land, in his own name.

Rekha alleged that the then Assistant Commissioner (Land), Abhijit Sarkar, cancelled her mutation on May 21 last year, his final working day, without giving her an opportunity to present her defense. She said the court did not grant mutation in favor of the opposing party either. According to her, the opposing party does not possess valid title deeds for the disputed land and therefore had no legal basis to seek cancellation of her mutation.

She further said that on appeal, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) on March 12 cancelled the mutation records of both parties and restored the land to its original R.S. holding, citing the fact that a civil suit over the disputed property was pending before a competent court.

The opposing party later appealed to the Additional Divisional Commissioner (Revenue), who, on May 6, stayed the previous order and fixed July 7 for the hearing. Rekha alleged that before the hearing could take place, the opposing party managed to have its mutation reinstated with the backing of influential individuals.

Rekha also alleged that the documents relied upon by the opposing party contain numerous inconsistencies. According to her, although they have claimed ownership through 20 different deeds in various legal proceedings, they have never identified which specific parcel of land corresponds to which deed.

Rekha also alleged that the opposing party has claimed ownership of the same property through both registered sale deeds and subsequent powers of attorney, while also asserting ownership over certain parcels without any supporting title deeds and attempting to retain possession of those lands unlawfully.

The allegations made by the complainant could not be independently verified.