Government re-issues orders to probe alleged encroachments on *Shamilat* (common village) lands

Government re-issues orders to probe alleged encroachments on *Shamilat* (common village) lands

Government seeks report from Vigilance Chief regarding allegations made by the society

Demand raised for action against a former official as well

S.A.S.Nagar 19 August ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : Despite the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab claiming to have removed illegal encroachments from *Shamlat* (common village) lands, alleged encroachments on such lands persist. One such case has come to light in Mohali district, involving the alleged occupation of *Shamlat* land worth crores of rupees by a prominent politician and builder, amidst allegations that efforts are being made to suppress an impartial investigation.

During a press conference at the Mohali Press Club today, Avtar Nagla, Chairman of the Village Common Land Protection Society, and former Patwari Sukhvinder Pal leveled serious allegations against N.K. Sharma—a prominent district builder and former MLA—accusing him of the alleged illegal encroachment and misuse of government *shamlat* (common) land. Specifically, they alleged encroachment on 5 *bighas* and 5 *biswas* of land in village Ghazipur and 13 *kanals* in village Bhankharpur, and demanded an impartial inquiry into the matter. Society Chairman Avtar Nagla stated that the organization had lodged a complaint with the Vigilance Commission and other government bodies on January 21, 2022. Subsequently, a detailed complaint regarding the issue was also submitted to the Financial Commissioner (Revenue) on March 3, 2024.

According to Nagla, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had issued orders on June 6, 2024, for the Vigilance Bureau to investigate the matter following these complaints. He alleged that the complaint was shelved despite the then-vigilance officials being aware of these orders. He stated that after the society persistently pursued the matter in the public interest, the Punjab government has now—on August 14, 2026—issued a memorandum to the new Vigilance Bureau Chief, Sharad Satya Chauhan, directing him to investigate the case and submit a report.

Meanwhile, former Patwari Sukhvinder Pal stated that the primary objective of their organization is to protect common areas and *Shamlat* (village common) lands. However, in the Tricity area, the Panchayat Department is rendering people homeless—even those who have lived there for years—while wealthy individuals and builders continue to encroach upon these *Shamlat* lands. A prominent example is the approximately 4 acres of land held by former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in Lohgarh village.

Avtar Nagla and former Patwari Sukhvinder Pal stated that they welcome the Chief Minister's decision. They urged the new Vigilance Chief to conduct a fair and transparent investigation into the matter. The society announced that it would soon meet the Vigilance Chief as a delegation to present the documentary evidence in its possession. Additionally, the society has demanded action against the former Vigilance Chief, Varinder Kumar. It claimed that despite government-level orders for an investigation, no effective action was taken for a long time. They have also raised questions regarding the performance of the Lokpal in this matter.

What the builder and former MLA Sharma has to say:

Meanwhile, when builder and former MLA N.K. Sharma was contacted over the phone, he stated that the complainants are in the habit of filing false complaints and are blackmailers. He added that he has even lodged a case against them at the Zirakpur police station for filing false complaints. He asserted that he has not encroached upon even a single portion of the *shamlat* (common) land and categorically denied the aforementioned allegations.