By TC News Desk
Agartala, 6th September 2025: A shocking case of alleged land fraud has surfaced in Dharmanagar subdivision, where a deceased woman is reported to have “signed” a property deed eight years after her death. The incident has triggered widespread outrage and raised serious questions about the integrity of local land registration offices.
According to a formal complaint filed with the Churaibari police station and the Dharmanagar Sub-Divisional Magistrate, a parcel of land belonging to the late Azina Bibi was transferred to another individual using document bearing her signature despite her passing in August 2008.
The controversy centers around Shahin Ahmed Choudhury, a resident of Ward No. 2 in Fulbari Panchayat under Kadamtala block. Choudhury claims that his mother Azina Bibi owned 140 shatak (approximately 70 gonda) of hilly land. In July 2016, a man named Makram Ali allegedly took possession of the land and presented documents showing the property registered in his name. Shockingly, those documents reportedly include Azina Bibi’s signature, eight years after her death.
The matter came to light when Makram Ali began selling portions of the land to various individuals, including, according to Choudhury, an undocumented Bangladeshi woman named Sahida Akhtar. Upon confronting the transactions, Choudhury investigated the records at the Churaibari Tehsil and Dharmanagar Sub-Registry offices, where he found that 70 shatak (35 gonda) of the land had been officially registered under Ali’s name.
The deed reportedly bears the signature of deed writer Babul Nath, suggesting official involvement in the alleged forgery. Residents of Fulbari expressed disbelief at the possibility of a deceased woman signing legal documents, sparking public outrage and demands for accountability.
Choudhury has appealed to Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha to intervene and ensure justice. He claims to have endured years of harassment and deception, and now seeks redress not only for himself but for others affected by similar fraudulent practices.
This case is not isolated. Locals allege that land mafias and brokers routinely manipulate documents in exchange for money, transferring ownership even in the names of deceased individuals while original owners are left powerless. The lack of strict enforcement and punishment has reportedly eroded public trust in government institutions.
As the scandal takes place, residents and activists are calling for a thorough investigation into the Dharmanagar Sub-Registry Office and other tehsil offices across North Tripura, demanding systemic reforms to prevent further exploitation.
The case has ignited a broader conversation about land rights, corruption and the need for transparency in property registration.
