Sultanpur Traders Protest Against Municipal Chairman Over Alleged Land Grab
Traders in Sultanpur protest against Municipal Chairman Praveen Agarwal over an alleged 500 crore rupee land grab involving Galla Mandi.
A massive protest erupted at the Collectorate complex in Sultanpur on Monday as traders from the Galla Mandi took to the streets to voice their outrage. The merchants have leveled grave allegations against Municipal Chairman Praveen Agarwal, accusing him of orchestrating a conspiracy to facilitate the illegal seizure of land valued at approximately ₹500 crore.
Allegations of a ₹500 Crore Land Conspiracy
The protesting traders submitted a formal memorandum to the District Magistrate through Additional Magistrate Priti Jain. The core of the grievance lies in the alleged mismanagement and intentional negligence regarding the Nazul property of the Amethi Bada Galla Mandi. According to the merchants, the Municipal Council failed to provide adequate legal representation during a critical court case.
The traders claim that despite receiving official notices, the Municipal Council's failure to represent them effectively led to the case being dismissed via an ex parte order on March 17, 2026. This legal lapse, they argue, has opened the door for the land to be registered in favor of private parties during the ongoing litigation involving the Municipality and the state government.
Generational Allegations Against the Chairman
Merchant Manish Sahu, a prominent voice in the protest, highlighted the historical significance of the land. He stated that the Galla Mandi has been leased to the Municipality since 1930. Sahu pointed a finger directly at Municipal Chairman Praveen Agarwal, accusing him—alongside his father Ram Niwas Agarwal and grandfather Vimbhar Dayal Agarwal—of conspiring to divert the land for private gain.
The traders are particularly alarmed by reports that preparations are already underway to construct an eight-story building on the disputed site. They contend that this development would result in the permanent loss of a high-value asset to the public sector.
Demands for Impartial Inquiry
The protesters have laid out a specific list of demands to ensure justice is served:
- A formal and high-level investigation into the role of the municipal advocate.
- The immediate preservation of all land-related records to prevent tampering.
- An impartial inquiry into the entire conspiracy involving the Municipal Council.
The demonstration saw a large turnout of local merchants, 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 escalating tension, the District Magistrate has intervened, assuring the traders that the administration will conduct a thorough review and that no injustice will be permitted regarding the disputed property.