Sultanpur Traders Protest Over Alleged 500 Crore Land Grab
Grain market traders in Sultanpur allege Municipal Chairman Praveen Agarwal is involved in an illegal 500 crore land seizure.
Tensions flared in Sultanpur on Monday as grain market traders staged a massive demonstration at the Collectorate complex. The protesters are leveling serious allegations against Municipal Chairman Praveen Agarwal, accusing him of orchestrating an illegal land seizure valued at a staggering 500 crore rupees.
Allegations of Conspiracy and Negligence
The traders have formally approached the administration, submitting a memorandum to Additional Magistrate Priti Jain, intended for the District Magistrate. At the heart of the dispute is the Nazul property of the Amethi Bada Galla Mandi. The complainants allege that the Municipal Council deliberately failed to protect this land during legal proceedings.
According to the traders, a critical lawsuit regarding the property was dismissed via an ex parte order on March 17, 2026. They claim this dismissal happened because the municipal authorities failed to provide adequate representation, despite having received prior notices regarding the case.
A Legacy Under Threat
The scale of the grievance is rooted in decades of history. Trader Manish Sahu highlighted that the grain market has been under lease to the municipality since 1930. However, the traders allege a calculated conspiracy is underway to transfer the land.
The protesters have specifically named Municipal Chairman Praveen Agarwal, accusing him of conspiring with his father, Ram Niwas Agarwal, and his grandfather, Vimbhar Dayal Agarwal, to facilitate the illegal transfer. They further claim that the land registration allegedly took place while a lawsuit against both the municipality and the state government was still pending in court.
Demands for Investigation and Future Plans
The traders are deeply concerned about the future of the site, noting that there are reportedly plans to construct an eight-story building on the disputed land. To prevent this, the protesters have demanded:
- A comprehensive investigation into the role played by the municipal advocate.
- The immediate securing of all relevant land records.
- A fair and transparent inquiry into the entire land transfer process.
The protest saw a large turnout of local businessmen, including Gurmeet Singh, Rishi Agrahari, Harpreet Singh, Neetu Devi Agrahari, Jai Kishan Jaiswal, Sachin Jaiswal, Santosh Agarwal, Ram Dulare, Shambhu, and Dilip Kumar Agrahari.
In response to the outcry, the District Magistrate has intervened, providing assurances to the traders that a thorough process will be followed and that no injustice will be permitted to occur.