BAREILLY: Nearly 47 years after being displaced during the 1978 communal riots in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, three Hindu families have regained possession of a portion of their ancestral land.
The district administration on Tuesday handed over 10,000 square feet of a 15,000-square-foot plot — on which a school was built in Mohalla Jagat, near the UP Roadways bus stand — to the three grandchildren of Balram Mali, who was killed during the violence. “This is a major achievement in our efforts to resolve long-standing disputes and provide justice to affected families,” DM (Sambhal) Rajender Pensiya said.
The riots, which occurred during Holi that year, claimed Balram’s life and forced his sons — Ram Bharose, Nannu Mal, and Tulsiram — to flee the area, leaving behind their 2.2 bigha of land. Over the years, the families were allegedly repeatedly threatened and denied access whenever they attempted to reclaim their property. After filing fresh complaints earlier this year and presenting valid ownership records, the administration took action.
While initial official reports said 24 people died in the riots, UP CM Yogi Adityanath claimed last month that 184 Hindus were killed in the unrest. On Jan 10, TOI reported that the UP govt “has sought files related to the 1978 Sambhal violence following an appeal by BJP MLC Shrichand Sharma in the assembly”. Sharma said that victims and their families have not yet received justice and urged the authorities to reopen the case. Responding to the appeal, the govt then directed the district administration to locate the records.
On Tuesday, Sambhal SDM Vandana Mishra and ASP Shreesh Chandra conducted a revenue survey to verify ownership. Mishra confirmed that 10,000 square feet of the plot belonged to Balram’s family, based on official records, and the reclaimed portion was handed over amid heavy police deployment to ensure safety. The remaining 5,000 square feet are under investigation.
The officials said that the site had been encroached upon, with a school named Jannat Nisha operating there. However, Dr Mohammad Shahvez, who runs the school, claimed his father, Dr Zubair, had legally purchased the land in 1976, two years before the violence tore through the city. “We have all the documents to prove ownership, and allegations of illegal encroachment are baseless,” Shahvez said.
Officials said that Shahvez “failed to provide satisfactory documentation during the inspection”. Mishra also noted “deliberate discrepancies, such as falsely marking part of the property as a fire station to block ownership claims”. She said: “Appropriate action will be taken, and further legal steps are underway.”
Asha Devi, one of the claimants, recounted the loss of their family temple and the challenges of reclaiming their land. “We lost everything, including family members. This is the first time the administration has acted to restore our rights,” she said.
Amrish Kumar, one of Balram’s grandsons, reflected on the long fight for justice. “My grandfather was killed during the riots, and we were forced to leave in fear and heartbreak. When we tried to return, we were told the property was no longer ours. Today, justice has finally been served.”
The reclaimed land, valued at crores, is part of a broader crackdown on “illegal encroachments” in Sambhal. During the ‘78 riots, many Hindu families were displaced, leaving their properties behind. Some properties were converted into schools, homes, or commercial establishments, with disputes persisting for decades. Police have now been deployed at the site to ensure safety amid potential tensions.
