CBI Uncovers Land Scam, Seizes 'Babri' Stone from TMC MLA's Residence.
CBI unearthed a multi-crore land scam in Murshidabad, West Bengal, and seized a stone inscribed with 'Babri Masjid' from the residence of TMC MLA Jafikul Islam.
Photo by Adrian Siaril
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CBI uncovered multi-crore land scam in Murshidabad, West Bengal.
TMC MLA Jafikul Islam's residence raided.
Stone inscribed with 'Babri Masjid' seized.
Alleged illegal land acquisition for mosque construction on government land.
Investigation initiated by Calcutta High Court order.
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CBI Uncovers Land Scam in Murshidabad, West Bengal
This map highlights the location of the multi-crore land scam uncovered by the CBI in Murshidabad, West Bengal, involving alleged illegal land acquisition and construction on government land. The seizure of a 'Babri Masjid' inscribed stone from a TMC MLA's residence adds a significant political and communal dimension to the investigation.
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Exam Angles
Role and powers of CBI in a federal structure, especially concerning state consent and judicial orders.
Jurisdiction and powers of High Courts, particularly in ordering investigations and judicial review.
Land governance issues, land reforms, and the challenges of illegal land acquisition and encroachment.
The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, and its implications.
Political ethics, corruption in public life, and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Intersection of politics, religion, and governance, and its impact on social harmony.
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Summary
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently uncovered a multi-crore land scam in Murshidabad, West Bengal, and seized a stone inscribed with 'Babri Masjid' from the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Jafikul Islam. The scam involves alleged illegal land acquisition and construction of a mosque on government land. The CBI's investigation, initiated on a Calcutta High Court order, focuses on the alleged fraudulent transfer of land belonging to the West Bengal government for the construction of a mosque.
The presence of the 'Babri Masjid' inscribed stone has added a political and communal dimension to the ongoing investigation, especially given the sensitive history surrounding the Babri Masjid issue. This case highlights issues of land governance, corruption, and the intersection of politics with religious sentiments.
Background
The Babri Masjid issue has been a contentious point in Indian history, culminating in the Supreme Court's 2019 verdict. The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, was enacted to maintain the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947, with an exemption for the Ayodhya dispute.
Land governance in India is primarily a state subject, often plagued by issues of opaque records, illegal encroachments, and corruption, frequently involving political actors. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is India's premier investigative agency, deriving its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946, and often requires state consent for investigations, though High Courts and the Supreme Court can order probes without it.
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Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. With reference to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in India, consider the following statements: 1. The CBI derives its powers and jurisdiction from the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946. 2. It can suo motu investigate any crime in a state without the state government's consent if the crime involves a Central government employee. 3. The Director of CBI is appointed by a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India, and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 3 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is correct: The CBI is governed by the DSPE Act, 1946. Statement 2 is incorrect: While the CBI can investigate Central government employees, it generally requires the consent of the state government to investigate crimes within the state's jurisdiction, unless ordered by a High Court or the Supreme Court. Suo motu investigation without state consent is not the norm for state-level crimes. Statement 3 is correct: As per the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the CBI Director is appointed by a committee consisting of the Prime Minister (Chairperson), the Chief Justice of India (or a Supreme Court Judge nominated by him), and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
2. In the context of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, consider the following statements: 1. The Act declares that the religious character of a place of worship shall be maintained as it existed on August 15, 1947. 2. The Act applies to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute in Ayodhya. 3. The Supreme Court, in its 2019 Ayodhya verdict, upheld the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship Act, 1991. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.2 and 3 only
Show Answer
Answer: C
Statement 1 is correct: This is the core provision of the Act, aiming to prevent new disputes over the religious character of places of worship. Statement 2 is incorrect: Section 5 of the Act specifically exempts the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute from its purview. Statement 3 is correct: The Supreme Court, while delivering its verdict on the Ayodhya dispute in 2019, affirmed the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, stating that it 'manifests the secular values of the Constitution and sternly eschews any regression to the past'.
3. Which of the following statements regarding land governance in India is NOT correct?
- A.Land and land records fall under the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- B.The Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) aims to computerize land records and digitize cadastral maps.
- C.The responsibility for maintaining land records primarily rests with the State Governments.
- D.Illegal land acquisition and encroachment on government land are often facilitated by opaque land records and weak enforcement mechanisms.
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement A is NOT correct: Land and land records are subjects under the State List (Entry 18) of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, meaning state governments have primary legislative and executive powers over them. Statement B is correct: DILRMP is a central sector scheme aimed at modernizing land records management. Statement C is correct: As land is a state subject, state governments are primarily responsible for land administration and record maintenance. Statement D is correct: These are common challenges in land governance, leading to scams and illegal activities.
Source Articles
‘This is a prestige fight’: Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir lays foundation stone for ‘Babri Masjid’ in Murshidabad
Rebel TMC MLA vows to lay foundation stone for ‘Babri Masjid’ in West Bengal's Murshidabad
TMC MLA Humayun Kabir suspended for vow to build Babri Masjid replica; he says will form new party | Kolkata News - The Indian Express
800 kms from Ayodhya, a Babri Masjid-Ram Mandir replica showdown fuels a fresh political row in Bengal | Political Pulse News - The Indian Express
‘Spoken to Owaisi’ for tie-up in Assembly polls’: After laying ‘Babri’ stone in Murshidabad, suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir says ready to fight TMC and BJP | Kolkata News - The Indian Express