Land grab case with BJP links: childhood mate seeks PM Modi's help

Mumbai: An 81-year-old man who studied with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in school has sought his intervention in a decades-old land dispute in Maharashtra, alleging that a property he legally purchased was later grabbed through forged documents by firms linked to a BJP leader.

Asgarali Vora, a former classmate of Modi at B.N. School in Vadnagar, met the Prime Minister on September 8 seeking justice over the dispute involving his land in Navghar, Bhayandar East. Vora has sought a CBI probe into the matter, saying repeated attempts to secure relief through local authorities have failed.

Vora had legally purchased around 2,810 square metres of land in 1989 through a registered agreement. He alleges that the property was encroached upon in 2011 and subsequently divided into two plots. According to his complaint, Self Builders and Seven Eleven Constructions, firms allegedly linked to BJP MLA Narendra Mehta, used forged documents to take control of the property and register the two portions in their names.

An FIR was registered in connection with the alleged land grab in 2015, but the case has continued for years without a resolution. Vora eventually turned to his former schoolmate, the Prime Minister, after approaching revenue officials, police and municipal authorities multiple times.

Following the meeting, there are signs of renewed official attention to the dispute. The local municipal administration has scheduled a formal hearing for September 16, with representatives of both construction companies expected to participate.

Vora has expressed renewed hope that the intervention will finally help him secure justice in the long-running dispute.