Malda: Land revenue officials accused of demanding bribes

Malda: Two land revenue officials in Manikchak block of Malda have been accused of demanding bribes. Kassem Ali, a local Trinamool leader and husband of Manikchak Panchayat Samiti’s Krishi Karmadhakhsya, Sufia Bibi, has alleged that two revenue inspectors, Nur Nabi and Mohammad Hamid, attempted to extort a sum of Rs 50,000 from him in exchange for facilitating a land royalty payment.

Kassem Ali, in his written complaint to the Block Development Officer (BDO), Panchayat Samiti Sabhapati and Forest and Land Karmadhakhsya, detailed how he was allegedly taken aside by the two revenue inspectors outside the office, where they demanded a bribe. Ali stated that they refused to issue a receipt for the payment and resorted to verbal abuse when he objected.

“I am requesting strict action against the offenders,” Ali said in his complaint. In response to the allegations, Nur Kalam, Forest and Land Karmadhakhsya of Manikchak Panchayat Samiti, said: “I have received the complaint and urged the administration to take appropriate legal measures if the allegations are found to be true.” Meanwhile, the Manikchak Block Land and Revenue Officer chose not to comment. The two accused revenue inspectors are on personal leave and their responses could not be obtained.