Patna: Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has accused the family of BJP MLA Maithili Thakur of illegally occupying government and private land in Darbhanga district, escalating a dispute over alleged encroachment in the legislator’s constituency.
In a statement, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader alleged that Thakur and her father, Ramesh Thakur, had occupied government land worth several hundred crore rupees, a public road, a community cremation site and private plots in Tardih block.
The allegations concern Pokharbhinda village, where residents have complained to the local administration about construction and alleged encroachment on public and privately owned land. The complaints also refer to land associated with a village deity and a temple.
The district administration has confirmed finding an encroachment on a government road during an initial measurement of the disputed property. Officials subsequently removed a boundary wall obstructing the road and restored public access.
Deputy Collector Land Reforms Ajay Kumar said other complaints, including those concerning private land, would be examined after the complainants appeared before the circle office. The administration has not yet reached a conclusion on those claims.
One of the complainants, Gagan Kumar Mishra, has alleged that Ramesh Thakur occupied three decimals of his land. He also claimed that he was threatened with false criminal cases when he objected to the alleged encroachment.
Maithili Thakur has rejected the allegations against her family, describing them as baseless. She said a house was being built in the village to enable her to hold public hearings and remain accessible to people in her constituency. She challenged those making the allegations to present evidence before the local authorities.
Tejashwi also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the allegations, accusing legislators from the ruling National Democratic Alliance of taking over public land.
The controversy has drawn a response from Thakur’s family as well as other political leaders. Her elder brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, has separately demanded an impartial and high-level inquiry into the allegations against Ramesh Thakur.
The administration’s examination of the remaining complaints is expected to determine the status of the disputed private properties and other parcels of land.
(With inputs from media reports)