Punjab NRI panel orders property be handed back to NRI

Chandigarh, July 11 (IANS) Punjab's Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Commission has ordered district authorities in Gurdaspur to take prompt action to hand over possession of Denmark-based NRI Sarjit Singh Ahluwalia's rightful property to him, a panel spokesman said here Friday.

The commission also directed the Gurdaspur deputy commissioner and district police chief to submit a report to it regarding action taken to fix the responsibility of the erring officials by Sep 23.

The disabled Ahluwalia, 78, had filed a complaint with the commission, contending that he was the owner of land measuring over 18 kanal situated in village Purana Chaawla of Gurdaspur but Gurnam Singh, taking the advantage of his absence, had on the basis of forged and fabricated power of attorney, executed a sale deed of this land in favour of five people.

Ahluwalia said that earlier he had filed a complaint with the Gurdaspur deputy commissioner and an inquiry had confirmed the forgery and the revenue entries of the above mentioned land being reversed in his name. The findings were confirmed by the divisional commissioner, Jalandhar.

Ahluwalia complained that with advantage of the revenue entries and the illegal sale deed, he was dispossessed from his own land. He also sought police protection saying that his life was in danger.

"The commission has asked the DC and SSP (senior superintendent of police), Gurdaspur for immediate action in accordance with law. DC Gurdaspur has also been asked to inform the commission about what action has been taken to fix the responsibility of the erring officials," the spokesman said.