Leader of Opposition Abdul Bari Siddiqui addresses the news conference at the party office in Patna on Tuesday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, Aug. 30: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) today charged the Nitish-led NDA government of conniving with land mafia to favour an industrialist in grabbing the land of Angus School run by Christian educational institution in the capital.

Abdul Bari Siddiqui, the leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, told reporters that a piece of land of 7.68 acres located at a prime location belonged to a Baptist mission which was illegally registered by Sadaykrishna Kanodia in connivance with officials of the Patna registry and the state’s registration department despite Delhi High Court’s injunction order not to sell or purchase properties of the mission.

Even Patna High Court, in its order on February 28, 2011 had directed the ministry of company affairs to dispose of the matter within three months by taking remedial measures with regard to the alleged illegal sale of land belonging to the Baptist mission in Patna. Siddiqui said how could it (sale of land) be done without the involvement of top government officials and ministers.

Kanodia, the owner of Utkarsh Sphatik, a sister concern of Ambuja Cement, enjoyed political clout which he used in getting the land in question registered in his name, said Siddiqui while adding that he has very good relations with a very senior minister in the NDA government.

“I have also written a letter to the chief minister apprising him of the incidents. I informed the CM that they (Christians) had come to me with a complaint that they had been intimidated and beaten up to vacate the land. Land mafia are ruling the roost in the present dispensation,” Siddiqui said.

The deputy chief minister, Sushil Kumar Modi, rubbished the charge of the government or any of its ministers helping the land mafia in grabbing the land of a minority institution or anyone else.

“Such allegation, if any, will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken. It is not proper to accuse the government of helping a particular person or company in grabbing someone’s land,” Modi said, adding: “The RJD is desperate to win back the minorities’ support....but it will not work for the minorities or for that matter Bihar. People still remember how they were dealt with during the RJD regime.”