Bhagalpur: A state-level crackdown on unlawful land and flat sales is underway in Bihar, with investigators uncovering a series of real estate violations across Bhagalpur district. The joint operation, involving officials from the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) and district administration, is part of a growing effort to regulate the sector and shield buyers from fraudulent transactions.
Inspection teams from Patna began surveying multiple blocks earlier this week, including Sabour, Goradih, Jagdishpur, Nathnagar, and Sultanganj. According to officials, numerous instances of unregistered plotting and unauthorised property sales were found, with several cases being flagged for legal action. In Sultanganj, a team identified a major breach involving approximately four and a half bighas of land in Narayanpur village (Ward No. 6), where large-scale plotting had been carried out without mandatory registration. The site has now been marked, and a detailed report is being prepared for the District Magistrate (DM) to initiate proceedings.
Under RERA regulations, any sale of land exceeding 5,400 square feet or involving the division into more than eight plots requires prior registration. “Selling or marketing unregistered land and flats is illegal. Strict action will be taken under RERA provisions,” said a field engineer who led part of the investigation in Sultanganj. To ensure accountability, departments are pooling data to identify those responsible. The electricity department will submit names tied to power connections, while municipal authorities will confirm planning approvals. Circle officers are tasked with verifying land titles and usage history. The aim is to identify and penalise developers who have ignored regulatory requirements.
In an effort to enhance transparency, RERA has also begun issuing QR codes to registered agents, allowing buyers to verify credentials before making purchases. Authorities have urged the public to consult RERA’s official platforms for property verification and to avoid undocumented deals. A high-level review meeting chaired by Bhagalpur District Magistrate Dr Naval Kishore Chaudhary took place on Tuesday. During the session, RERA officials confirmed that multiple housing and plotting sites have been identified and will be subject to further scrutiny. Information from land registration offices and zonal departments will be used to match account and khasra details of owners for possible notices and penalties.
