Archive · 6 Nov 2025
Assam Minister Singhal Challenged Over Land Records in Tribal Belt
Two politicians in Assam are in a public argument about land.
One politician, Mr. Singhal, who is a minister, was accused of taking land in a special tribal area.
He told the other politician, Mr. Saikia, who is the leader of the opposition, to prove it within one day or apologize.
Mr. Saikia then showed some official papers from a company that is connected to Mr. Singhal's family.
These papers say the company owns land in that area and it's worth about 1.34 crore rupees.
Mr. Saikia wants Mr. Singhal to confirm if this is true and wants the government to give the land to a cultural place nearby if it doesn't belong to the minister's family.
Mr. Singhal had previously denied owning any land in tribal areas and said he works with honesty.
Opposition Leader Debabrata Saikia released company records, including a balance sheet, allegedly linking Minister Ashok Singhal's family to land in Sonapur's tribal belt valued at Rs 1.34 crore.
Saikia challenged Singhal to file an affidavit within 24 hours confirming neither he, his family, nor linked companies own land in the specified Sonapur area.
The records shared by Saikia pertain to Protech Buildcon Private Limited for the fiscal year 2023-24.
Saikia alleged the land is adjacent to the khetra (cultural space) of Assam's icon Zubeen Garg and proposed allocating it to the khetra if not owned by Singhal's family.
This exchange follows Singhal's earlier public challenge to Saikia to substantiate land-grabbing allegations within 24 hours, which Singhal had denied.
- Who
- Assam Minister Ashok Singhal and Opposition Leader Debabrata Saikia
- What
- A public dispute over allegations of land ownership by Minister Singhal's family in a protected tribal area, with Saikia releasing company records as proof.
- When
- Allegations initially made on November 4, Singhal challenged for proof on November 5, and Saikia released records on November 6.
- Where
- Sonapur, Assam, specifically within a protected tribal belt and block area adjacent to the khetra of cultural icon Zubeen Garg.
- Why
- Saikia released records in response to Singhal's public challenge to prove land-grabbing allegations, aiming to expose alleged ownership of land in a tribal zone.
Debabrata Saikia (Leader of Opposition)
Ashok Singhal (Minister)
Land Ownership in Sonapur Tribal Belt
Debabrata Saikia (Leader of Opposition)
Released company records, specifically the FY 2023-24 balance sheet of Protech Buildcon Private Limited, which lists 'Land at Sonapur' valued at Rs 1.34 crore as an owned asset. Challenged Singhal to file an affidavit declaring neither he, his family, nor linked companies own land in Sonapur, particularly the plot adjacent to Zubeen Garg's khetra. Demanded the government allocate the plot to the khetra if it doesn't belong to Singhal.
Ashok Singhal (Minister)
Previously challenged Saikia to prove land-grabbing allegations within 24 hours and denied owning any land in protected tribal belts and blocks, dismissing the claims as politically motivated. Stated he and his family are not involved in government contracts or schemes and serve with integrity.
Response to Previous Challenge
Debabrata Saikia (Leader of Opposition)
Responded to Singhal's 24-hour challenge by making company records public, stating he is not relying on rumors but on official company documents. Asked Singhal to explain the Rs 1.34 crore entry and publish survey and land title details.
Ashok Singhal (Minister)
Had challenged Saikia to prove claims within 24 hours, previously stating he would leave politics and Assam if proven wrong, and demanded an apology if Saikia could not provide proof.
- Minister
- Ashok Singhal (Assam Minister)
- Opposition Leader
- Debabrata Saikia
- Location of Alleged Land
- Sonapur, protected tribal belt and block areas
- Company Mentioned
- Protech Buildcon Private Limited
- Alleged Land Value
- Rs 1.34 crore
- Balance Sheet Fiscal Year
- 2023-24
- Date of Saikia's Response
- Thursday, November 6
