In a deeply disturbing case from Mahmadpur village in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, a 90-year-old man named Raj Narayan Thakur discovered that his own son had declared him dead and illegally sold their ancestral land for a mere ₹2 lakh.
The land, which was jointly owned by Raj Narayan and his brothers, was sold without proper consent, partition, or government verification.
⚖️ What Happened?
Raj Narayan’s son, Dilip Thakur (44), submitted false documents stating that his father was deceased.
The land sale was processed despite no physical verification from the local sub-registry office.
The property in question was registered under their late father, and no legal partition had been conducted among the rightful heirs.
🆘 Victim’s Plea
The elderly Raj Narayan approached the District Magistrate with a formal complaint, requesting:
Immediate cancellation of the illegal land sale
Criminal action against his son and involved parties
Restoration of his legal rights as a living heir
🚨 Government Response
The District Magistrate has:
Ordered an inquiry by the Circle Officer (CO) and Station House Officer (SHO)
Recommended that the parties seek civil court intervention if no resolution is reached
📚 Legal Facts About Ancestral Property
Ancestral property cannot be sold by one heir alone—all co-heirs must agree and sign.
Declaring a living person dead is an act of fraud and forgery, punishable under Indian Penal Code.
Any illegal sale can be challenged in court and declared void.
📝 What Can Victims Do?
File a civil suit for cancellation of the fraudulent sale deed
Register a criminal case under IPC sections for cheating and forgery
Submit proof of being alive and rightful ownership
Request mutation records be corrected
❗ Why This Case Matters
This isn't an isolated incident. Many elderly people in India have fallen victim to such fraudulent declarations of death for land grabs. The case highlights:
Gaps in land verification processes
Urgent need for digital transparency in property records
Importance of legal awareness among senior citizens.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can ancestral property be sold without consent?
No, all legal heirs must agree. One heir alone cannot sell the property.
Q2: Is declaring someone dead to sell land illegal?
Yes. It is considered forgery, cheating, and criminal misrepresentation under Indian law.
Q3: What can the elderly man do now?
He can file a case to cancel the sale, demand compensation, and initiate criminal proceedings.
Q4: Can such property sales be reversed?
Yes. If proven illegal, courts can reverse the transaction and restore ownership.
Q5: How can others prevent this?
By regularly checking land records, keeping identity documents updated, and involving all family members in legal decisions.
Published on : 5th August
Published by : SMITA
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