Ranchi, Aug. 25: Deputy commissioner Pradeep Kumar has stayed the sale of the controversial land near Marwari College which was to be sold to the college for building a girls’ section and a hostel.

Kumar has also ordered an enquiry into the alleged irregularities conducted by circle officials in the land deal. The land, measuring 2.6 acre adjoining Marwari College in the Hindpiri area, was to be sold to the college authorities for Rs 1 crore allegedly by the land mafia on the basis of forged documents. The market value of the land is estimated to be about Rs 1 crore.

Kumar told The Telegraph that he had asked the additional collector to probe the issue and stay the sale of land till the enquiry is completed.

Sunil Kumar Pal, claiming to be one of the owners of the lands, alleged that some land mafia had struck a “deal” with the circle officials and some of the college employees. Pal alleged that the land mafia had forged documents in connivance with circle officer Kartik Ram and showed that the land belonged to them. He also alleged that there was “underhand dealing” in the transaction.

Circle officer Kartik Ram, however, denied the allegations of any underhand dealing. “Let him (Pal) come to the office. I have all the relevant documents to prove that their allegations are wrong,” Ram added. On the other hand, Pal also claimed that he had all the documents to prove that the land belonged to him. “The land is registered in the name of Sukan Ram and I am one of his heirs. However, one Kshitij Kumar Rai changed the name of the owners as Vijay Ram and Shanti Devi, in connivance with the circle officials,” he said.

Pal alleged that the mafia had struck a deal with the college authorities for sale of his land. He said earlier as well there were attempts by the mafia to change the ownership of the land.