Lucknow: A nearly three-decade-old dispute over government nazul land in Gonda appears headed for closure after the petitioner in the case withdrew his claim and vacated the disputed property, paving the way for the administration to reclaim and secure the land earmarked for official use.The case relates to nazul plot numbers 514, 515, 524 and 525 in Gonda, which are recorded as government land reserved for the office and residential premises of the divisional commissioner, Devipatan Division.The dispute, pending since 1997, came under fresh scrutiny as part of the state government’s drive to identify and protect public land from encroachment. Following a review by divisional commissioner Durga Shakti Nagpal, officials examined revenue records, the status of litigation and the physical condition of the property.According to officials, petitioner Dayanand Mishra, a resident of Civil Lines, Gonda, has now submitted an affidavit before the court stating that he no longer wishes to pursue the case and has requested that the proceedings be brought to an end.Officials said the development assumes significance because Mishra has also vacated the disputed plots, effectively altering both the legal and physical status of the property.The administration had reviewed the matter as part of a broader exercise to address long-pending disputes involving government land. During the process, officials also examined reports that an unauthorised school was being run on the premises. An inspection, however, did not find any students or teachers present at the site.With the petitioner seeking closure of the proceedings and the land having been vacated, the administration has shifted its focus to protecting the property from fresh encroachment and ensuring its use for the purpose for which it was originally reserved.Divisional commissioner Durga Shakti Nagpal said reclaiming and safeguarding public land remained a priority of the administration.“In line with the vision of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, protection of government land and its use in the public interest is our highest priority. In this case, pending for nearly 30 years, the government land has now been freed from occupation. The party concerned has requested the court not to proceed further and has also vacated the site. The land will now be secured and its use for the designated government purpose will be ensured,” Nagpal said.
